The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-07-27
PORTO RICO INVESTED SPAIN ASKS FOR PEACE

letter Of Saturday date. received here TO-
day by a French diplomat well known on
both sides OF the Atlantic.
The Tribune correspondent Is unfortu-
nateiy not at liberty 10 mention the name
Of the writer Of the letter. whose oppor-
tunitles for ascertalnIng the truth at
Madrid are unsurpassed, but Is authorized
70 cable the following summary Of It's
contents.
Madrid. Saturday. July i5--The sltua-
tion u far more critical than at any pre-
vious time since the war began. On sur
face the habltuai Indifference OF al class
es Of people 20 the national disasters.
seems 70 continue. Social entertainments,
popular amuscments and bullhghts 20 on
as merriIy as ever, but this apparent
apathy Is merely superficial. The slight
est incident may at any moment precipi-
tate a crisis and plunge the country into
revolution.
THE news which reached here Thurs
day Of the postponement Of the departure
Of Wats0n's squadron Is regarded as a
definite abandonment Of the expedition
and causes an immense relief 10 the Span
ish cabinet The work Of defending the
seaports, nevertheless. actively continues
and two transports with troops and heavy
guns, arrived yesterday at the Canaries.
'Sagasta is now Dowerless either 20
carry on the war effectively or 10 con-
elude peace. The question Of the war Is
thrown into the background by the urgen-
cy OF the dynastic considerations and by
measures to avert a military pronuncia-
mento. backed by a popular uprising.
The spectre Of revolution has momentari-
ly restrained the Carllsts in the northern
provinces, but has forced Sagasta 10 put
his whole trust in the leaders Of the
army.
The generals are now absolutely mas
ters at Madrid and are likely TO cast aside
sagasta. as they have no further use for
him. The artillery Is the most democrat
lc. as well as the most effective branch
Of the military service, and has always
been early In taking an active part in any
republican move TO overtuTn a dynasty.
Today the entire artillery force Of the
garrison OF Madrid is hostile 10 the gov
ernment and II ordered to fire on the peo-
pie, would certainly refuse 10 do so and
would frateruize with the insurgents
Several infantry regiments are also ready
TO follow the example Of the artillery.
The dlsanectiOn Of the army Increases
day by day and officers Of every grade ac-
cuse the ministry Of incapacity in con-
ductIng the war and charge them all with
criminal neglect in failing to supply the
Santiago force with food and ammunition.
General Polayieja, a thoroughly honest,
loyal soldier Of the old school, whose de-
votion to the queen regent is beyond re-
proach. has had a long conference with
the queen, Sagasta and the leaders OF the
opposition.
"Polavieja is a last hope OF the dy-
nasty. This blunt, but genial soldier stlll
retains a certain influence With the army.
but those who ought to know best, say
that when the time comes he can no more
stem the popular tide than could Marshal
Bugeaud have prevented the Paris revo-
luton OF lS4S from sweeping away Louis
Philippe. .tI
Not a day passes without the emperor
of Austria exerting his strong personal
influence with the queen regent, urging
her to maze peace at once. no matter at
only salvation OF the dynasty depends |
upon her ability TO do so and he points |
out that the longer peace is delayed. 50
much the more intense will be the inter
mai explosion which is the real danger 70 !
the dynasty. The queen Is most anxious |
to act upon the emperor's advice and her |
great hope is that Polavieja viii succeed |
In gaining the assent OF the army to per /
nit the cabinet to make such direct offers |
OF peace to Washington as would be ac-
ceptable there. But whether Polavieja |
will be able to exert the necessary infuen-
ce with the military leaders or not is con-
sldered more than doubtful.
''To make the outlook more dismal. IT
is known that in spite Of explicit otficia.
denials, republican discomfort is SPREAD
ing at an alarming pace in Cordova, VAL
encia, Murcia and Huelva. The socialist
in Cartegena is kept in check
by the sailors and soldiers of the arsenal