The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-22

United States in the same way as Aus
| fria, in 1865 ceded Venetia TO france
| instead of Italy. II is hoped that IN
this way Spain's amour propre would
be saved.
SITUATION IN MADRID.
Madrid, April 19.-1 p. m--The gen.
| eral belief here is that the joint reso-
| luton of congress makes war between
Spain and the United States inevitable.
/ The premier, Senior Sagasta. had a
/ long conference with the Queen-regent
| this morning.
p. m.-An official note issued this
afternoon says the negotiations are ac-
| lively proceeding between the colonial
| government Of Cuba and the insurgents
of that island, with the view of OBJ
| tanning the submission of the latter as
result of further concessions regard
ing autonomy.
2:30 p. m.-The terms of the speech
| which the queen-regent will deliver at
| the opening Of the cortes tomorrow are
| jealously guarded, but it is said that
| the speech will prove firm, convincing
| and satisfactory to the national senti-
ments
1t is claimed here that unanimity
| prevails in Spain to face war rather
| than yield to the demands of the Unit
ed States.
Ais p. m.-On the receipt of a dis
patch from the Spanish minister at
Washington, Senior Polo Bernabe
| giving the result of yesterdays voting
| in congress, the minister for foreign
affairs, Senior Gullon, forwarded to all
the Spanish ambassadors a memoran-
| dunn to submit to the foreign govern
| ments, setting forth the grievances of
| Spain, showing all Spain has done to
avoid war, and saying the responsible
tv Tor war rests entirely upon the Unit
! ed States.
| 7:15 p. m.-The one absorbing topic
is the prospect Of war.
! Ell Heraldo de Madrid says that war
is inevitable and even imminent Even
| the forthcoming meeting of parliament
| is unheeded. The paper compares the
indifference of the mass of the people,
| to "Mussulman fatality" considering
| 1T highly dangerous and fearing a ter
rlDle reaction. The paper says Seri-
| Gus task lies before parliament which,
it hopes, will prove equal to facing
the great dangers now gathering
around Spain.''
p. m.-This evening the parties con-
stituting the cortes held their prelim-
mary meetings. Senor Silvela presid-
| ed over the meeting of the conserva-
tive minority. In the course of his re-
marks he advised all conservatives to
support the government
The republican party has sent a mes
sage to Senor Emilio Castilin, appeal
ing to his patriotism to take part in
the parliamentary campaign The
| communication points out that dur
| ing the present situation it is the duty
of republicans to maintain an expect
ant attitude toward the monarchy, but
at the same time to stand ready to
make the sacrifices demanded by pa
trlotlsm in the face of powerful enc
my, for the defence of Spanish SOW
eighty over Cuba, the preservation of
Wnicn Is demanded by the history, Sc
curity and rights of SPAIN"
10 p mat this hour the lobhies OF
par lament are crowded with members
new deputies and p0litic;a,s, all dis
crssing the situation. The one rre
dOm:r ating word is war
MlCnt ght.-1t was rumor,d in town
tn 5 evening that General Woo lfo1,l
would leave tomorrow, but he has au-
thcr::ed former denial of the report.
Madrid is quiet and prepared to NEE.
developments.
Madrid, via Paris, .Anr:l 1J.-The su;-
porters Of the government in beth
houses Of parliament met in the senate
chamber at o'clock this afternoon.
Senor Sagasta, the premier, addressed
them as follows:
THE times are so grave and the cir
cumstances are so exceptional that acts
and not words are not necessary TO face
the present difficulty. Attempts are
being made to sully the glorious his
tory of Spain by an infamous calumny.
Inc Spanish governments have done
their utmost to avert the war to which
we are being provoked. We have now
reached the limits of concession, COM
patTble with honor and territorial integ-
rity. We consented to the last cOnces-
sion at the instance of the pope and
the powers. We yielded in fact: but
now attempts are made upon our honor,
and unenaces directed against our ter
ritory. That is a thing to which Span
iards will never cvonsent CApplause.)
This is not the moment to trace a par
liamentary programme, but the mo-
! ment to unite ourselves, as our fathers
have done, in the face of an odious at
tempt against the integrity of our ter
ritory. The insult offered US today is
the most infamous that has ever been
offered" prolonged applause)
Continuing Senior Sagasta counselled
| the rapid constitution Of the chambers
! in order to accord to the government
the means to defend the country's in
| terests. SPAIN he added. will not
| allow parcel of her territory to be
| taken from her with impunity; nor will
| she be a party to any trafficking for her
| possessions" Prolonged and enthus-
| iastic cheers greeted the speech.
| The ministers met today 10 modify
| the speech from the throne in confor-
| nifty with the situation. Senor Silvela.
| leader of the dissident conservatives,
| when addressing his party, declared ii
'.inOpportune to formulate a political
| programme He evoked the memory
| Of late Senior Canovas del Castillo. and
declared that he and his party would
aid the government by voting as much
as should he necessary for the national
| defense without any opposition, al
| though making note of the response
| bility incurred. in order to investigate
| it. if need be. at a more opportune time.
| He declared also that the dissident
| conservatives would respect whatever
financial arrangements the government
| might enter into, no matter what these
| might cost, as it was the only means
| of securing later on peace with honor. "
CRUISERS REACH CAPE VERDE.
| St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands,