The San Francisco call., 1898-04-20
Spain Will Fight Rather Than Give Up the
 Island of Cuba.
Queen Regents Speech Accuses the United States of
 Planning War.

MADRID. April Io.-It was ru- mored in town this evening that Gen eral Woodford would leave to-mor- row, but he has authorized a formal denial of the report. Madrid is quiet and prepared to meet developments.
 The supporters of the Government in both houses of Parliament met in the Senate chamber at o'clock this evening. Senor Sagasta, tn, Premier, addressed them as follows:
 "The times are so grave and the circumstances are so exceptional that acts and not words are necessary to face the present difficulty. Attempts are being made to sully the glorious history of Spain by an infamous cal umny. Different Spanish govern ments have done their utmost to avert the war to which we are being provoked.
 'We have now reached the limit of concessions compatible with honor and territorial integrity.
 "We consented to the last conces- sion at the instance of the Pope and powers. We yielded in facts, but now attempts are made on our honor and the menaces directed against our ter ritory That is g thing to which | Spaniards will never consent. (Ap- plause.)
 "This is not the moment to trace parliamentary programme, but the moment to unite ourselves, as our fathers have before, in the face of an odious attempt against the integrity of our territory. The insult offered us to-day is the most infamous that has ever been offered" Prolonged applause.)
 Continuing, Senor Sagasta coun- seled rapid consideration by the Chambers in order to afford means to defend the country's integrity. He added: "Spain will not allow one parcel of her territory to be taken from her with impunity; nor will she be a party to any traficking for her possessions" Prolonged and en- thusiastic applause.)
 The Ministers met to-day to mod fly the speech from the throne in con- fornity with the situation. Senor Silvela, leader of the dissident Con servatives, when addressing his party, declared it inopportune to formulate political programme. He evoked the memory of the late senor Canovas del Castillo, and de- clared that he and his party would aid the Government by voting as much as should be necessary for the national defense without any oppo- sition, although making note of the responsibility incurred, in order to investigate, if need be, at a more op- perfume time. He declared also that the dissident Conservatives would respect whatever financial arrange ments the Government might enter into, no matter what these might cost, as it was the only means of se- curing later on peace with honor.
 Seldom has there been witnessed more impressive and significant scene. The large hall of the Senate was densely crowded with Liberal Senators and Deputies, who listened with breathless attention to the short speech of Senor Sagasta, only inter rupting him with unanimous and loud applause when he indignantly alluded to the "uniustifed and in famous aspersions cast upon Spain" with regard to the Maine disaster. Even more enthusiastic applause greeted his closing words, when he sternly and proudly declared that the Government hoped to receive the support of all Spaniards Gin defense of their territory and ancient rights which any of their ancestors would have repelled with the same energy and courage"
 If the idea still existed in the mind of any one here that war could be avoided, Senor Sagasta's speech is regarded as finally settling all doubts.
 There is not single individual here who cherishes even vague hope that war may still be averted.
 "The die is cast" said a Minister whose efforts to maintain peace have been untiring, as soon as the tele- gram announcing that the confer ence committees had come to an agreement was received. "There is no possible escape, nor are we seek ing any. 1t has been suggested that Spain could dispose of the difficulty