The record-union., 1898-04-20

in seeking preteXts to interfere in the
purely domestic relations of Spain with
her colonies and have persisted more
than ever since the advent to office of
President Mckinley in menaces and
diplomatic notes trying to intervene in
the settlement of the Cuban question.
So much has this been the case, the
speech Will declare, that the United
States has constantly put obstacles in
the way of Spain, when, by negotia-
tions or military efforts, Spain has been
on the point of pacifying Cuba.
The speech from the throne will point
out that the Spanish Government has
steadily resisted the American preten-
sions, While making all possible conces-
sions to America on other questions,
and would have gone even further if
America had only undertaken to re-
spect the right and sovereignty of
Spain in Cuba.
The document viii lay stress upon
the fact that America has displayed in
creased hostility since Spain granted a
suspension of hostilitieS at the request
of the Pope and the powers. 1t will
make an earnest appeal to the nation
and to all parties to be true to the
national traditions, to gather around
the throne and to vote the supplies
necessary to defend the honor and ter
ritory of Spain.
At the present moment, SPAIN though
essentially q military nation, is be-
slowing her chief attention upon naval
preparations, because everybody fully
comprehends that, in the struggle with
the United States the fate of Cuba
| a hQ 1iIro of hn
ly depend on the respective navies. The
Spanish Minister of Marine, Admiral
Bermejo, has done his best to furnish
naval preparations within the means
at his disposal He has been well as
sisted by the officials of his department.
The first available squadron is now at
Cape Verde, under Admiral Cervera,
who went out with the cruisers In
fanta Maria Teresa and CristObal Ce-
lon, and has been joined there by the
cruisers Vizcaya and Almirante Oquen-
do, with a view to protecting the tor
pedo fotilla. This squadron is consid,
cred quite a match for the flying squad
ron of America, and may be ordered to
pay an unpleasant visit to North Amer
ic2n ports if war breaks out. A sec
ond squadron will be formed at Cadiz,
Wu6IG AUIllli oil 1uuIl Oto 10 Dbioy PIC~
pairing the fleet. The idea is to con-
centrate the fleet as soon as they are
ready, the battIeships Pelayo, now at
Cartagena, Emperador Carlos v, now
at Ferrol; Cardinal Cisneros and the
Numancia and Victoria, broadside
ships; the cruisers Alfonso XIII. and
the Princess Mercedes, the torpedo
cruiser Maria Molina, three destroyers
just received from England, and three
torpedo vessels.
Spain has in her merchant fleet and
coasting population a large supply of
able seamen, all having served in the
royal navy, and strong force of ma
rines, among them three fine battal-
ions Just returned from service in the
Philippines. Admiral Bermejo has
paid special attention to making use
of the fourteen largest steamers offered
by the Compania Trans -Atlantica mail
line, and other firms as auxiliary cruis-
ers, with crews and officers from the
royal navy and heavy and quick firing
guns which have already been placed
on the fourteen vessels. Great enthusi-
asm prevails in the arsenals and among
the seafaring population. Spain will do
exactly what America does. The Gov
ernment would much prefer to make
use of the auxiliary cruisers commits
stoned as regular war vessels.