The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02

STATEMENT FROM SAGASTA
NO DEMAND MADE FOR THE INDIE
PENDENCE OF CUBA,
And None Would BE Entertained by
the Spanish Ministry-COmment
of the Foreign Press.

LONDON. April 1.-THE Madrid CORE
spondent of the Daily Mail says: Spain,
acting on the principle, 81 Wis pacem para
bellum' Of you wish peace prepare for
war;. continues her preparations for pos
sible hostilites with America The coast
defenses of the peninsula are in an efficient
state rather more so than two years ago.
When the seizure IT the Competitor by
Lieutenant General Weyler brought the
two countries to the verge of hostilities
these defenses We're inspected by an emil
nent Spanish general and the necessary
work has gone quietly or ever since.
1T is publicly announced that the
Marquis Cornillas, president of the Spanish
Transatlantic line, whose vessels ply TO
Cuba, West Africa and South America, has
placed his entire feet at the disposal of
the government. Like those of several ma
tions, the steamers of this line can be con-
verted into cruisers. A successful expert
ment was made two and a half years ago.
when two of the company's vessels were
armored and equipped in the space of a
few weeks.
The buying of war ships by the United
States causes no uEeasiness in this coun-
try (Spain.) The few offered for sale were
rejected by Spain on technical grounds
and, besides. the Washington authorities
with their appropriation OF $5O0O0OoO came
rather too late into the market to get good
value for their money.
The ceremony of hosting the Spanish
flag on the steel twin screw schooner yacht
Giralda 6ormerly the property of Mr. H.
l.. b. McCalmont9 was celebrated at Bar
celona two days ago by the commander
and officers of the Spanish gunboat Pillar.
A crew of forty men were placed on board
and they gave the customary three cheers
as the Spanish flag and royal navy pennant
were hoisted. The Giralda will be ready
for action in a very few days.
Resides the two battalons of infantry
and the battalion of engineers ordered to
the Canaries half battalion of artillery
and regiment of marines will be sent
tisere. The bishop of the Canary islands.
in sympathy with the patriotic movement
in Spain, is preparing his own palace and
seminary buildings for conversion into bar
racks and lodgings for the troops. One of
the regiments of marines expected from the
Philippines will be sent to Porto Rico,
with aTtillerymen and additional infantry
and possibly some guns, Reinforcements
are also about to be sent to strengthen the
garrisons of the Spanish possessions in
North Africa. though they are strong
cluslvely military character and are always
considered as in state of war; Special at
tention is being also paid to the Philippines.
The standing army sent there to put down
the insurrection will be maintained though
not many weeks ago it was proposed to
send part of it back to Spain. The Philip
pine residents of Madrid have sent an adj
dress to the government Offering to return
to Manila and to organize their native volun-
teer regiments, to be commanded by Span
ish officers of the regular army to help in
repelling any American attempt on the
archipelago. The standing army of Spain
in the Philippines consists. of about 1900
Spanish troops and about as many native
troops, commanded by Spanish officers.
The native levies fight very WE'LL
THE SPANISH STATEMENT.
The Madrid correspondent of the Standard
says: Both United States Minister Wood
ford and the Spanish ministers show pointed
reserve concerning the contents of the Span
ish memorandum, but it is said to be a re-
markably strong restatemcnt of the Span
ish case on all the points raised by the
United States. and especially in regard to
the pacificatjon of Cuba and the settlement
of the Cuban question from the Spanish
point Of view
situation is deemed critical. because it is
difficult for either side to make concessions
likely TO be acceptable to the other. judging
by the attitudes they have maintained in
the recent negotiations.
The Impartial says the government has
received excellent impressions on the favor
able attitude of European continental pow
ers, whose friendly dispositions toward
Spain have been strengthened by the fact
that the United States and England have
lately been drawn closer by their common
interests in China. 1t asserts that the
French and Russian governments have
asked Spain to state clearly the maximum
of concessions she can make to Cuba and
the United States with view of enabling
these powers to exercise pressure at Wash
ington in favor of the preservation of peace
ard the Spanish rule in Cuba.
"El Liberal says that Spain must trust
solely to her own energies. | understand