The record-union., 1898-04-04

MADRID, April ) (Sunudy iilot LlilS'
via Paris).-The Spanish Cabinet has
decided that the Spanish fiotilla is TO
remain at the Cape De Verde 1slahdS
until further orders. The fiotilla VIII
be Joined later by a squadron composed
of the armored cruiser Emperor Chafles
V. of 9, 30 tons, the cruiser Alfonso
XIII. of 5000 tons the armored cruiser
Jnfanta Maria Teresa of 1000 tons ana
the armored cruiser CristObal Colon or
c.S40 tons. which viii accompany the
torpedo flotilla to Cuba.
1t has been decided by the Government
to send the armored cruisers Vizcaya
and Almirante Oquendo, both OF 1oJo
tons, back to Havana. They VIII re-
ceive orders to this effect as soon as
they SIGHT Porto Rico.
A national subscription to strengthen
the Spanish fleet Will be organized by
royal decree, but the decree will not
be published before a declaration of
war.
The Cabinet. which met at s last night,
discussed the situation until midnight.
At the close of the conference it was
declared that no official news had been
received at that time from Washington.
But it was admitted that the Ministers
We're filed with gloomy expressions.
Each Minister declared that he had re-
ceived private information confirming
the extreme gravity of the situation.
The Minister of War, Lieutenant-Gen-
eral Correa, submitted for the approval
of the Cabinet elaborate plans for the
organization Of the military forces OF
the kingdom. The Minister for the
Home Department, Don Ruiz DE Cap
debon, yesterday III an interview de-
clared that everything pointed to war.
The Cabinet has examined propo-
sitions for the adding of merchant YES
sells as privateers, but it has been de
cided to await events before coming to
any decision on this subject Finally a
telegram from the Spanish Minister at
Washington, Senior Polo Y Bernabe. was
read at the Cabinet meeting in which
Senior Eernabe said that President Nc
KinIey will be overruled by Congress.
Officials here now frankly admit that
the situation is delicate in the extreme.
They consider war as being imminent
and il is popularity believed President
Mckinley viii address an ultimatum to
Spain carly next week.
Calm continues here, but trouble is
feared from the Republican demonstra-
ton which is being organized to protest
this afternoon against the torture of
the anarchist prisoners in Montejuich
prison, Barcelona.
All parties are Offering aid to the
Government. Even the Carlist chiefs
have presented themselves to Premier
Sagasta. proffering their services in the
emergency.
The newspapers are denouncing the
Bishop of Barcelona on account Of the
letter which he wrote proposing the
abandonment of Cuba providing Spain's
commercial and religious interests are
guaranteed.
Other Bishops are calling on the
Government to resist the United States
and are Offering money to aid the mill
tary and naval preparations. The news
papers say there is a great patriotic
movement on foot throughout the Prov.
inces in aid of the naval fund.
The trial OF the new cruiser Alfonso
XIII. is reported to have been carried
out with satisfactory results. 1t is ad
ded that she will be commissioned t
join the Havana squadron forthwith.
The armored cruiser Emperor Charles
Y. has been ordered to leave to-day TO
Ferrol.
A flotilla of torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destrcyers is being prepared TO
active service at Cadiz
A decree has been gazetted creatin:
90, 600, 00O pesetas of new treasur.
notes on the guarantee of the receipt
from the tobacco stamps and octro
duties.
A dispatch from Porto Rico announce
that three large vessels are passin;
that island going westward. 1t is addet
that they are believed to be American
ships.
The members of the diplomatic corp
are joining in taking steps calculate,
to avert war. They are under the lead
ership of the Papal Nuncio, Mgr Fran
cisco Nava. the Archbishop of Catania
and the Austrian Ambassador here
Count Dubsky.
The organizers of this afternoon
meeting to protest against the torturin,
of anarchist prisoners declare they ar
determined to prevent ii being trans
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