The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-28
SPAIN BLAMES ENGLAND
For Egypt's Refusal to Supply Ca
mara's Fleet With Coal, ~,
DO NOT FEAR OUR .WARsHIPs.
At Least That Is the Impression Span
iards Would Convey-Meantime the
Destitution of the Masses Threatens
New Terrors For Existing Dynasty.

Destitution of the Masses Threatens
New Terrors For Existing Dynasty.
London, June 2S.-The Madrid CORE.
spondent of The Standard says:
Egypt's refusal to supply coal to Ad-
miral Camara's squadron Is strongly
resented as due to England's influences,
It is regarded as a fresh proof Of an
Anglo-American entente. The Span
ish Transatlantic Steamship company
has coal depots at Alden, Colombo and
Singapore. Captain Aunon, minister
of marine. hopes the matter may be
arranged, since England has not yet
declared coal contraband of war. Ac-
cording to another version, the incident
will serve as pretext to bring Ad-
miral Cervera back to Spain to check
American aggression"
The Madrid correspondent Of The
Times says: The threats to send a
squadron to Spain. as reported from the
United States. are regarded here as
proof that the American government Is
seriously alarmed at the prospect of
Admiral Camara appearing In the
neighborhood of Manila. 1t is argued
that II the United States were to show
so little regard for the &usages of civ
ilized warfare as to lombard small,
open towns. America might kill a few
peaceful Inhabitants and injure pri-
vate property. but the practical effect
Of such a fragrant infraction Of the
laws of war would merely be to inflame
the war spirit of the Spaniards.
As for fortified ports. experience in
Cuba and Porto Rico has shown nat
impression. and American would find
1t much harder to maintain a fleet off
the coast Of the peninsula than at
few hours sail from Key West. The
landing of any considerable armed
force is out Of the question, but that
is precisely what the Spaniards would
like. Such views are commonly en-
tertained here.
The peace movement in Catalonia is
gaining strength. An influential COM
mission, headed by the Alcalde Of
Barcelona has arrived and will have
conference with Senior Sagasta on the
subject of measures to alleviate dis
tress In Catalonia.
General Blanco has sent a large Sody
of troops toward Guantanamo to op-
pose the expected advance by the
Americans from that point. Consid-
cradle reinforcements are expected
from Manzanillo, but they may be de-
layed by the bad roads and by lnsur-
gent bands.
The Madrid correspondent Of The
Daily Telegraph says: Spain is In a
state Of ferment. of transition without
parallel during the present century.
Troubles Of the gravest kind are brew
ing all over the provinces. Every po-
litical and social institution is threat
ened in turn, and the least nervous
among far sighted politicians appre-
hend a complete debacle.
But the failure of the national de-
fense Ia not alone accountable for this.
Incredible as 1t may seem, the ma
jority of the spaniards have absolutely
no interest in the war, and even dis
play willingness to forget the past
and to endeavor to rub along without
colonies.
The statesmen Irresponsible for the
loss Of the colonies are utterly reckless
and the indifl renee to the peoples ruin
manifested by the governing and up
per middle classes is probably unpar-
alleled in history. Hunger and misery
are making themselves felt throughout
the country There will soon be $4,000
unemployed in Catalonia. and every
where else there are similar counts
of distress, going from bad to worse
day by day.
The government is painfully con-
scious, and Is now taking energetic
measures, but all Of these are of a
coercive character. Troops which
might have successfully defended the
Philippines are being massed at all
the centers where starvation protests
are likely to assume an aggressive
form, while money is being wasted on
that will never fire a shot.
The press expects to be gagged, but |
It unanimously declares that no amount |
Of coercion and no degree of dictatOrial |
despotism will hinder the country from |
rising and manifesting its will. What |
Is far more serious is the unfortunate |
circumstance that the dynasty shares
in the unpopularity of the government.
The people argue that repression Is
being employed solely in favor Of the
which has remained abso-
utely passive during the terrible ma
ional crisis.