Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-15
SPANISH AFFAIRS,

may not be taken before Saturday, or
even later. Senators objected yester-
day, while the Senate was in session,
to any proposition for limiting the de-
bate. Senator Davis, the chairman of
the committee on foreign relations,
gave notice that he would ask for q
continuous session to-day until vote
is taken. All day long conferences of
Senators were held looking to posi-
BILE agreement upon the form of resolu.
ton to be sent to the President. Con-
servative Senators favor the House res.
olution, which is said to be satisfactory
to the President, and while it cannot
pass the Senate at this stage, they be-
lieve it will win in conference, after the
House has refused to accept the resolu
tons reported by the Senate committee
on foreign relations. Yesterday Mr..
Turpie urged the recognition of the
Cuban republic, so thar it should not
be responsible for any part of the Span.
sb debt. Senator Gray argued that
the American people would not justify
any war unless satisfied that it is q
righteous war. The ownership or pay
ment of the Spanish bonds he regarded
IS an ''inconceivably low considera=
ton" Only two Senators are now ex-
pected to speak against all the resolu-
tons that nre before the Senate, They
are Senator Wellington and Senator
Gallery.
The Spanish Cortes has been sum-
moned to meet next Wednesday, FIVE
days in advance of the time previously
set for its sessions to begin. A cabinet
council at Madrid decided upon this
step in view of the critical relations
with the United States. Senior Sa-
ga ia, on leaving the Palace, said that
Senior Gullon, the minister OF foreign
affairs, would report to the Europeon
powers the attitude assumed b. the
United States.
Gen. Valeriano Weyler, former CAP
to in-general of Cuba, arrived in Mad
ri yesterday and offered his services to
the Queen Regent. Newspapers which
opp the Sagasta ministry are trying
to make popular hero out of him.
Notwithstanding the proclamation of
an armistice, several skirmishes be-
tween Spaniards and insurgents have
recently taken place in Cuba.
A dispatch from Berlin says: The
action of Congress in the Cuban crisis
is unfavorably commented upon by the
German newspapers. The Tageblatt
says: Hardly ever before have there
been more frivolous provocations for
war;" The Post remarks, THAT the
popular representatives of the Union
who have so often cred at the old
world as military moloch now them
selves provoke war plainly shows that
no form of government can guarantee
permanent peace, and that bellicose.
ness is innate in man and cannot be up.
rooted" The Boersen Courier says:
The vote in Congress virtually kills
the last hope for peace"
4, In the evidence before the Senate for
eigu relations committee, Consul-Gen-
era Lee said the electric lights in Hay
ana did not go out when the Maine
explosion occurred. General Lee also
said that he had not felt the shock of
the explosion at his hotel. Senator
Lodge asked him if be had heard of an
attempt on the Montgomery. II
heard ;" responded General Lee, "that
there was something of that sort one
evening, but believe upon inyesliga-
ton it was found that it did not amount
to anything"
General Lee gave it, as his opinion
that blockade of Havana would result
in the early surrender of the city. He
described the Spanish army as being
without discipline. He did not think
the armistice proclaimed by General
Blanco would be accepted by tie insur
gents or have any effect upon the stua-
ton in Cuba. Continuing, he said, II
have never thought that the insurgents
had anything except the skeleton form
of governments movable capital"
In the official note, which was deliv
cred by the Spanish minister to the U.
S. Secretary of State on Sunday last,
Spain pleads her innocence, recites the
Queen Regents order for an armis-
tioe in Cuba, declares that suffering
among the reconcentradoes has ceased,
and holds that she is in no way respon-
sible fer the Maine disaster.
A dispatch from Madrid says: Last
nights cabinet council approved the
circular note that the minister Of for
eign affairs will telegraph to all Span.
ish representatives abroad to protest
solemnly against the accusations con-
tanned in the Senate resolutions by
which Spain is alleged to have played
a part in the Maine explosion. The
ministers also authorized Senior Gullon
to recall the Spanish minister at Wash
ington rs soon as the President Sane.
tons or endorsed the resolutions Of
Congress. At the cabinet meeting the
Premier, Senior Sagasta, made state
ment on the subject of the recent de-
yelopments of the Cuban situation as
affected by events in Washington. He
declared the situation was very serious,
and while pointing out that "the de.
bates in Congress have no legal value"
he said he deemed it advisable to e&t-
pedite the reopening OF the Cortes, sin
order to allow the national opinion and
its representatives to declare the will
of the people, and to enable the gov
eminent to act in accord with the ma
ton" After the cabinet meeting, one
of the two ministers told the CORE
spondent of the Associated Press that
the government continues to maintain
the same Arm attitude Of defense, not
defiance" Monsignor Nava, the papal
nuncio, called at the palace after the
Cabinet meeting, and gave good hopes
of peace being preserved"
The Madrid corresDopdent of the