The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-04
THE TORPEDO flOTILLA
no WAIT AT CAPE VERDE FOB
FURTHER ORDERS
SPANISH CABINET MEMBERS
Still Hope for Peace But Are Filled
with Gloomy Forebodings-War
Feeling Is Strong
Associated Press Special Wire

MADRID, Sunday morning (via Paris)
April S.--The Spanish cabinet has decided
that the Spanish fiotilla is to remain at the
Cape de Verde islands until further orders
The fotilla will be Joined later by a squad
ron composed Of the armored cruiser EN-
peror Charles ", Of s2s5 tons; the cruiser
Alfonso Kill, of 5000 tons; the armored
cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa, of 1000 tons
and the armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, oi
$50 tons, which will accompany the tor
pedo boat fiotilla to Cuba.
1t has also been decided by the govern
ment to send the armored cruisers Vizcaya
and Almirante Oquendo. both OF 7Ooo tons
back to Havana. They will receive orders
- this effect as soon as they sight Porto
Rico.
A national subscription to strengthen the
Spanish feet will be organized by royal
decree. but the decreewill not be published
beford declaration Of war.
The cabinet, which met at 8 o'clock last
night, discussed the situation until mid
night At the close of the conference 1t was
declared that no official news had been re-
ceived at that time from Washington. But
It was admitted that the ministers were
nlled with gloomy expressions. Each min
lister declared that he had received private
Information confirming the extreme grav-
ity of the situation.
The minister for war, Lieutenant General
Correa, submitted for the approval of the
cabinet elaborate plans for the organiza-
ton Of the military forces for the kingdam.
The minister for the home department,
Don Ruiz de Capdepon, In an interview de-
clared that everything pointed to war;
The cabinet has examined propositions
Tor the arming of merchant vessels as pri-
vateers, but It has decided to await events
before coming to any decision on this sub
ject.
Finally a telegram from the Spanish min
lister at Washington, Senior Polo y Bernabe,
was read at the cabinet meeting in which
Senior Bernabe said that President McKin-
ley will be overruled by congress.
From all the pulpits in Madrid today the
priests read letter from the bishop Of the
diocese announcing that he considered war
imminent and ordering prayers for the sue
cess OF the Spanish army.
At 10 a. m. officials here frankly admitted
that the situation is delicate in the extreme.
They consider war as being imminent and
1t is popularity believed President Mckinley
will address an ultimatum to Spain early
next week.
Calm continues here, but trouble is feared
from the Republican demonstration which
is being organized to protest this afternoon
against the torture of anarchist prisoners
in Montjuich prison, Barcelona.
All parties are offering aid to the gov
eminent. Even the Carlist chiefs have pre-
scented themselves to Premier Sagasta,
proffering their services in the emergency.
The newspapers are denouncing the
bishop of Barcelona on account of the let
ter which he wrote proposing the abandon
ment of Cuba. provided Spain's commercial
and religious interests are guaranteed.
Other bishops are calling upon the gov
eminent to resist the United States and are
offering money to aid the military and ma
val preparations. The newspapers say
there is great patriotic movement on foot
throughout the provinces in aid of the ma
val fund.
The trial of the new cruiser Alfonso XIII.
Is reported to have been carried out with
satisfactory results. 1t is added that she
will be commissioned to join the Havana
squadron forthwith.
The majority of the newspapers here to-
day regard war as inevitable. They think
General Stewart L. Woodferd has commu-
nicated a final answer to the government.
The Liberal says:
''It is clear that no concessions will sat
isfy the United States except the indepen-
dence of Cuba, and we had better immedi-
ately end the uncertainty"
The whole article OF the Liberal on the
subject is bellicose.
The Pals a that O(yrnaf I1noqCinnco
prevails at Washington concerning the at
titude Of the southern states in case of
war with Spain, and also because the Span
iards are organizing in Mexico to invade
the states from the Mexican republic"
In conclusion the Pals asserts that 1t will
not be all beer and skittles for the United
States. Much excitement was caused to-
day by the receipt of dispatch saying the
passports of the Spanish minister at Wash
ington will be handed to him on Tuesday.
There fas little excitement in Madrid this
afternoon, owing to the fact that there was
no bullfight today.
Extra precautions were taken to prevent
disorder at the Republican mass meeting
this afternoon. The number of guards at
the United States legation was increased.
The object of the demonstration was to
demand revision of the sentences i'm
posed upon political and other offenders,
to protest against the torturing Of an
archists In the prison fortress of Montjuich
at Barcelona, to demand the free import of
wheat, and to demand universal conscrip-
ton, without the redemption of rich con-
scripts. The demonstration, contrary to
expectation, turned out to be very quiet
and informal affair In fact, 1t may be
termed a "izzle." There was no banner
displayed, and only. about 5000 people
marched to the presidency and remained
in the street while the deputation was con-
Quoted to the office of Senior Sagasta,
where its members were politely received
by some of the members, in the absence of
the premier. Seniors Viendo and Dorendo,
former municipal councillors of Madrid,
spoke for some five minutes. referring to
the objects Of the demonstration, namely,
a revision Of the sentences of political
offenders. the free import OF wheat and
universal CONSUMPTION without the redemp-
ton of rich conscripts. No mention was
made Of the alleged torturing Of anarchist
prisoners In the prisons of the fortress of
Montjuich at Barcelona, although 1t was
at first understood that this was to be the
main representation to be made to the pre-
mier.
The demands Of the people who took
part in the demonstration were embodied
in a manifesto which was handed to the
minister Of the interior, Senior Capdepon,
who replied, saying he regretted that the
indisposition Of Senior Sagasta made It nee
essary for him to receive the deputation
In the premier's place. The Spanish peo-
pie. Senior CapdepOn adf1ed were wortfv