Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-04
WAR RUMORS.
Continued from page /.

and repu blicans. Surrender now would
inevitably precipitate an eruption. The
queen regent of Spain will make at least
one more supreme effort to retain the
the throne by cemvnting royalists, Car
lists and republicans in common cause
against the United States.
The critical condition of Spain at home
is evidenced by the effect produced by the
news of the Spanish defeat at Manila.
The Spanish populace, with characteristic
unreasonableness, was Immediately
aroused and charged the Spanish defeat
to government delinquency. A public
outbreak was imminent, and SO menacing
WAS he situation that 1t became necessary
to esta blish martial law in Madrid.
But the excitement, and the charges of
government incompetency, are not con
fined to the populace. 1t is felt in the
Cortes as we'll. The feeling of discomfort
with the present order of things, which
was voiced i'll the Cortes Saturday by
Senior Silvela, WAS intensified by the
news from Manila, and a crisis is now
impending. The Carlists and republicans
show a disposition to trouble the gov
eminent.
And on the top OF this popular move
ment it seems more than likely that
Weyler, "the butcher" royalist to him
self alone, will bob up serenely. The
queen regent can only hope to retain her
prestige by more aggressiveness against
the United States than she has yet shown,
and even then, with the probability of
ultimate defeat before her, it is almost
certain she will have to contend with a
revolution at home. The ignorant Span
ish masses, with their abnormal idea of
Spanish honor and belief in Spain's irwin
cibleness, cannot be brought to think
calmly of Spanish defeat.
Other events of the week shrink into
insigniticance before the battle OF Manila
Even the BON bardment of Mantanzas,
which happened no longer ago than last
Wednesday, has been almost forgotten.
Aside from the bonn bardment at Matan-
zas and the capture of several. prizes, the
past week has been an uneventful one for
the blockading fleet at Cuba.
The situation here is but slightly
changed from last week. The Spanish
fleet has sailed from Cape Verde Islands,
its destinatjen unknown. IL the fl, ct
has gone to the Canary Islands, the United
States has no way of learning of It's ar
rival there, as the cable is in control of
Spain If the fleet las sailed for this
side it is now about half way across.
Spain of course i at great advantage by
keeping us ignorant of her naval move
ments, but it il believed this country is
now prepared TO successfully meet any
contingency.
There is increased activity among the
militia. In ali the states troops are being
modified, and war preparations are be-
ing pushed forward.
Regular troops have moved forward TO
Tampa, Florida, which Will he the point
of emoarkation for Cuba. The victory at
Manila may determine the administtat ion
tude in Cuba, and the early INVASION of
Cuba by an effective force is not i'm
probable. Action viii probably be de-
termined when tu- wherea bouts of the /
Spanish fleet is definitely known.
SO far the progress OF the war has
demonstrated that the efficiency of this
country's naval strategy board has not
been impaired by years OF idleness, and |
the idle vaporings of local strategists who
have been over-burdened with advice as
to how the war should be conducted, are
gradually So bsiding.