The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-31
Spaniards at Homo and Abroad Said
to Be Contributing to War
and Defense Funds.
MUCH DEPENDS ON TO-DAY
CABINET WILL AGAIN CONSIDER
M'KINLEY's PROPOSALS.
Tone of the Madrid Press Less BeIIi-
cOse than UsuaI-The Torpedo
Rpat FlOtilIa.

is exercised to prevent the leakage of news
as to the naval movements, while the war
preparations continue with the greatest ac-
tivity and as far possible the greatest
secrecy. The utmost efforts are making
night and day to get the first-class iron
clads Pelayo and Carlos completed, when
it is regarded as certain they will be dis
patched with the cruisers Maria Theresa
and Cristobal Colon to join the Vizcaya and
Almirante Oquendo in Cuban waters, thus
forming a squadron of six armored vessels
against Americas seven.
The Marquis Cornillas, president of the
Spanish transatlantic steamship line to
Cuba and South America, who is an ardent
patriot, has daily conferences with !Senor
Sagasta, the premier. The Marquis Cornil-
las Senior Emilio CASTELAR,, General Lopez
Dominguez, secretary of war in Sagasta's
former Cabinet, and Mgr Cardena, bishop
of Zion, the Queen Regents chaplain, are
the leading spirits in movement for ma
tional subscription to build war ship to
be called Second of May" The original
idea was that every spaniard should con-
tribute a days earnings on May 2, the
ninetieth anniversary of the rising of the
people of Madrid against French domina-
ton towards the national defense.
This wave of patriotism, with the enroll
ment of the volunteer corps, is spreading
enthusiasm throughout the country. All
seats have been sold for to-morrow's opera
performance, realizing about $4,000 ($25 ,OOO)
for the navy, and similar performances are
being arranged in other cities. 1t is said
that $4,000 ($4O, ,OOO) was realized by the Ha-
vana performance. The Madrid papers al
lege that the South American republics
have already subscribed enough to build a
war ship, to be called Rio de la Plata, while
Mexico has sent huge donations. The
Spanish army will give days pay.
Orders have been sent to strengthen the
defenses at Manila and Porto Rico. There
is a good deal of comment upon Americas
purchase of twenty-three heavy guns from
the Armstrong;, and it is alleged that both
Spain and Japan had previously refused
them after a trial. The impression of the
press and the public generally is that Spain
will be able to make good show in the
event of war, although her men-of-war
are smaller than the Americans. She would
depend on her greater strength in torpedo
boats torpedo catchers and torpedo boat
destroyers.
Public opinion however, is swayed by
every passing wind, and since the presenta-
ton of the Maine report to Congress has
not produced a crisis, and inasmuch as ex-
aggerated reports of M. Hanotaux's speech
have excited hopes of European support,
the present feeling is one of extreme optim-
ism, increased by hopes of the outcome of
the Woodford-S -Sagasta conference, an op-
timism which prevails especially in financial
circles
Minister Woodfords proposals are not
yet known to the public here. The papers
assert that when he gave assurances Of
Americas friendliness Senior Sagasta
rithily retorted by alluding to the warlike
preparations of the United States, the at
titude of the American Congress and to
American popular feeling General Wood
ford is said to have explained this as 'only
natural in order to be ready for emergen-
cies." The result of tomorrow confer
ence is awaited on all sides with the great
est anxiety and hope.