The Saint Paul globe., 1898-05-04
THRONE IN PERIL


Continued from Third Page.
while on his visit to America and Cuba.
that the Americans meant war and
were rapidly preparing for 1t, being
perfectly acquainted with Spain's
means of attack and defense; but, he
said. had the Spanish government not
been so ready in yielding and had 1t
confronted the Yankees with power
ful army, they would never have gone
to war.
He said he considered 1t preferable
to give Cuba independence rather than
to embark on foreign war without
proper preparations.
Strange Spectacle.
An incident of the division was the
spectacle of such strange companions
as Senor Salmeron voting with Senor
Mella, the Carlist, and Senor Romero
Robledo, the Conservative. 1t caused
one member to cry ironically: Good
company" Senor Robledo quickly re-
torted, Good Spanish company"
1t Is believed the government intends
to close the parliament the moment
the budget is voted
Senor Gasset's proposal to vote cens-
ure upon the government Is likely to
produce warm debate The minority,
though small, Is in possession Of brains
far above the average Of the deputies.
In the senate Admiral Beranger, after
an eloquent eulogy Of the seamen who
had died at Manila. offered his services
to the government unconditionally.
Senor San h=Z Tcca violently protest
ed against the breach of international
law involved in the capture of Spanish
ships by the United States warships
before war had been declared, and
characterized Americas conduct as
amounting to piracy.
Senor CapdepOn, minister Of the in
terror, explained that a state of siege
had been declared, because certain
elements had sought TO turn the mis-
fortunes Of the country to their own
advantage by trying to arouse political
passions
Marshal Campos offered the govern
ment his unconditional support.
Monsignor Herrera, cardinal arch
bishop Of Santiago de Compostela, said
he spoke because he desired to "stir up
the public mind against the cowardly
Americans" He declared that the Span
ish nation was the victim Of the power
Of gold.
Senior Gullon. foreign m mister, thank
ed Mgr. Herrera for his patriotic
speech.
Comment on Disaster.
( Ell Heraldo, referring to the extent
Of the disaster, says: 1--WE cannot de-
fine it. The government has not de-
fined it for the information of the coun-
try, and. although the greater portion
of yesterdays cabinet council was de-
voted to the subject, the government
has refused to issue even note, leav-
ing us In ignorance respecting its views
on this fateful event. There Is nothing
rash in. the suspicion that the gov
ernment's attitude in this matter Is a
desire to hide part OF the truth. This
however, Is baneful mistake"
El Liberal demands that parliament
insist on having light thrown upon the
causes Of the Manila disaster. It says
Those of whom we have requested an
explanation of the causes which
brought about the catastrophe of Ma
Mia have met our demands with sill
ence. They have employed force to
silence those who, in the streets, have
protested against the real authors OF
our great misfortune and for this have
proclaimed state Of siege. Our eyes
would indeed be'Nfulr Of tears and our
souls filled with sadness, but our vital
force would not be weakened, if we
were certain that the destruction OF
our Philippine squadron and the glor-
ious death Of its crews were attributa-
BILE solely to wars vissitudes. I'm
fortunately we have not this consolins
certitude. We are all depressed with
presentment that the disaster of Sun
day will be repeated in other places
owing to the same causes. This sus-
piclon, embodied in the public con-
science, does not allow the investiga-
ton of the accusation and, If neces-
sary. the punishment TO be delayed
Our fatherland requires its soldiers to
fight without analyzing the risk Of
counting the numbers, but not that
they should do this under conditions
of horrible inferority and while employ
ing weapons deprived Of their edge"
Some of the assertions Of Ell Heraldo
have caused Sensa tionS in Madrid It
says:
Even a purely numerical advant-
age, If we had enjoyed it, would have
been utterly useless without guns of
large callber, without protection and
without the means Of attaining a speed
equal to that Of the enemy's ships. 1t
is not a question Of numbers, but of
the quality Of the warships. We are
certain that Admiral Montejo himself,
and the brave officers Of his squadron,
did not entertain one moments hope
Of victory. We have reasons for be-
lieving that the admiral over and over
again drew the governments atten-
tion to the insufficiency Of his forces
and resources and repeated these warn
ings in very unmistakable terms i'm
mediately after the declaration of
war;"
Martial Law Unpopular.
The proclamation Of martial law
causes much dissatisfaction, 1t being
declared unnecessary, unless the gov
eminent has information of a. secret
conspiracy. Sundays demonstration
was trivial, even compared with the
triffing disturbances upon the occasion
of the proclamation Of the Cuban
armistice.
The newspapers are particularly dis
contented with the state of affairs
existing, as the mere mention Of mill
tary operations is punishable severely
Groups Of people which gather around
the spots where the martial law proc.
lamation is posted promptly disperse
rHT c