The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-11
REINFORCEMENTS
Spain is Preparing to Send
5000 Men
And More Warships to Relieve
Manila.
DOUBTED IN LONDON.
Thought in Some Quarters That
Peace is Near.
Madness to Attempt to Carry
on the War.
DOUBTED IN LONDON

New York, May ia dispatch to the
World from Cadiz says:
The war and naval departments are
advancing preparations for a relief ex-
petition to the Philippines which, it is
said, will be composed of 5000 regular
soldiers and two battalions of ma
rineS. Instructions have been sent to
General August to hold out as long as
possible, 40 days being required an ex-
petition going by the way of the Suez
canal
The commander Of the squadron COM
handing the relief will be Admiral
Butler if Admiral Camarara elects to
remain in charge of the remaining YES
sells of the reserve fleet .-.
New York, May ia dispatch to the
World from London says:
Spain's reported project of sending
q relief expedition to the Philippines is
treated by military and naval experts
here as a mere bluff. In the first place,
it is considered that the Spanish gov
eminent needs all the troops it can
muster to maintain it's dynasty at
home. Secondly, the reserve squadron
can not possibly be ready for a month.
Thirdly, there would be the insuper-
able difficulty of coaling the ships for a
voyage of 5000 miles.
New York, May ia dispatch to the
Herald from Madrid says:
1t is only indirectly that attention is
paid to the progress Of the war by the
people here.
For the time being everyone is en-.
crossed with consideration of the min
isterial crisis. Upon it's solution de-
ponds the immediate action of Spain.
If the cabinet WeatherS the storm it
will emerge from it either instructed
to prosecute the war vigorously or else
empowered to take steps for the eStab-
lishment of peace with the least posi-
bic delay. From careful consideration
of the ministry's action it is more than
probable that the later solution will be
accordance with IFS UnRmhQrS'
personal desires. The question is, will
they be able to follow their desires?
Their position is a difficult one. They
know only too we'll that the longer the
war is prosecuted the more severe will
be the loss of Spain.
1t is manifest that the government is
trying to throw the responsibility for
the continuance of the war on parlia-
ment. 1t is also manifest that the OPP
position is trying to embarraSS the gov
eminent by refusing to accept that re-
sponsibility without at the same time
giving the ministery any ground for
saying later that peace was concluded
by the will of the nations representa-
tiVeS and not by that of the govern
ment's party majority.
The opposition will not help the gov
eminent to secure peace, as later it
may overthrow the liberals upon this
ground. Which of the two parties
ministerial or the opposition-will be
the stronger is the one subject of inter-
est at present.
There IS growing a current FEELING
that to pursue this disastrous war now
that it has been proved that while
SPANS courage is always equal to any
test, her financial, military and naval
resources are inadequate to cope with
an adversary so vastly her superior as
America amounts simply to madness.
New York, May ia dispatch to the
Herald from San Sebastian, says:
There is great excitement here on &C
count of a phenomenal fall in the ex-
change in favor of Spanish money.
Yesterday the rate was 215, whereas
this morning it fell to 1876 and at the
close offers were refused at $50. I am
informed most excellent authority
that a well known banking house has
come to the rescue and advanced the
Bank of Spain 100 millions pesetaS.