The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21
Situation Reviewed and the Army and
Navy Asked to Unite In Resisting
Unjust Attacks.
SAGASTA FOR WAR! WAR! WAR;
OUR DEMANDS TO BE REFLECTED
AND CREDITS VOTED AT ONCE.
UItimatum Received by Woodfoxd-
Intimation that Place of the First
Sea Fight VIII BE q Surprise.


MADRID, April 2O.-The opening Of the
Spanish Cortes this afternoon was a mag-
nificent sight. All the wealth and beauty
Of Madrid gathered in the Senate, where
every available foot of space was occupied
There was a terrific crush at the entrance
leading to the senatorial seats, many OF
which were occupied by ladies. The correr
spondent of the Associated Press secured
a seat by Senior Romero Robledo, the for
mer minister of justice. and Conservative
leader. Large bodies of troops we're drawn
up outside the building including the hand
somely uniformed Blue Dragons and the
magnifcently attred Palace Guards. All
the members of the diplomatic corps were
present in full dress
A wild cheer at 2:3O p. m. announced the
arrival of the Queen Regent who was
driven to the Cortes palace in a state COACH
escorted by q detachment of Life Guards.
The cheering was taken up within the
building as the Queen Regent entered, the
cheers being accompanied by enthusiastic
cries of Viva la Renal" viva Alfonso
TreceW Viva Espana!' a really tnnlultu-
ously patriotic demonstration. The Queen
Regent read the speech from the throne
while seated with the young King Alfonso
on her right and the PREMIER Senior Sa-
gasta, standing near the King. Her Majesz
tvs words were inaudible to all but those
in her immediate vicinity. The reading was
greeted throughout with cries of VIVA
Espana!' A wonderful picture was pre-
sented by the Queens encourage, consisting
of most of the highest personages in Spain
in brilliant colors, military, naval or palace
uniforms.
The Queen Regents speech began: THE
grave anxieties which saddened my mind
the last time I addressed you have increased
and are heightened by public uneasiness,
conveying the presentiment of fresh and
greater complications as a result of tha
turn which events in Cuba have taken.
These complications were brought about by
section OF the people Of the United States,
which, seeing that the autonomy prcvio1sly
offered in my message was about to be put
in force, foresaw that the free manifesto
tion of the Cuban people through its cham
bers would frustrate forever the schemes
against Spanish sovereignty which have
been plotted by those who, with resources
and hopes sent from the neighboring coast,
have fettered the suppression Of the INSTR
rection in that unhappy island. Should the
government of the United States yield to
this blind current, menaces and insult
which we have hitherto been able to regerd
with indifference-for they were not an ex-
preston of the sentiments of the true
American Nahen-would become intolerable
provocatiors, which would compel my gov
ernment, in defense of the national dignity.
to sever relations with the government OF
the United States.
I'm this supreme crisis the sacred voice
Of him who represents human justice on
earth was raised in counsels of peace and
prudence, to which my government had no
difficulty in hearkening. strong in
the consciousness Of its right and
calm in the strict performances
of it's duties" Her Majesty added:
"Spains gratitude is due to the Pope ana
also to the great powers. whose action
strengthens my convictions that SPANS
cause deserves universal sympathy, and
that her conduct merits unanimous APP
proval. 1t is possible, however. that an act
OF aggression is imminent, and that not the
sanctity of rights nor the moderation
of our conduct, nor the expressed wish OF
the Cuban people freely manifested may
serve to restrain the passions and hatred
let loose against the Spanish fatherland
In anticipation OF this critical moment,
when reason and justice will have for their
support only Spanish courage and the tra-
ditional energy OF our people. / have
Fastened the assembling of the Cortes, ard
the supreme decision of Parliament will
doubtless sanction the unalterable resolu-
tion of my government to defend
our rights, whatsoever sacrifices may
be imposed upon us in accom-
plishing this task. Thus Identifying
myself with, the nation, / not only fulfill
the oath swore in accepting the regency
but 1 follow the dictates of a mothers
heart, trusting to the Spanish people tos
gather behind my sons throne and to de-.
fend II until he is old enough to defend ii
himself, as we'll as trusting to the Spanish
people to defend the honor and the terri.
tory of the nation"
The Queen Regent then referred to tina
trouble in the Philippine ISLANDS. and con.
tinuing said: Although a dark and
gloomy future is before US. the difficulties
are not beyond our powers With our glo..
rious army, navy and the united nation be-,
fore foreign aggression. we trust in God
that we shall overcome, without stain oil
our honor, the baseless and unjust attacks
made upon US"
At the close of her Majesty's speech fhers
was renewed cheering. after which Premier
sagasta declared the Cortes opened and
the Queen Regent and the boy King, acs
eompanied by the court, left the building
amid another wild burst of enthusiasm
Midnight-After the opening session Of thu
cortes the ministers met in council extrao-.
dinary and discussed exclusively naval ana
issued regarding the decisions reached. Afseis
I