The herald., 1898-04-20
THE QUEENS SPEECH
Will Appeal to Patriotism and Ask
for Supplies

Ao4 SuPPAACS
LONDON, April 2O.-The Madrid CORE.
spondent of the Standard says: II under
stand the speech from the throne will re.
view the whole course of the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States with
a view of showing how Spain, In her rela-
tions with America and her treatment OF
the West Indian colonies. has spared nc
effort to make concessions and reforms
compatible with her rights. to conciliate
her colonists and to preserve friendly re-
lations with America; whereas, the United
States has all along persisted In seeking
pretext to interfere in the purely domestic
relations of Spain with her colonies and
has persisted more than ever since the
! advent to office of President Mckinley In
menaces and diplomatic notes. trying to
intervene in the settlement Of the Cuban
question.
$50 much has this been the case" the
| speech will declare, that the United
States has constantly put obstacles In the
way of Spain when by negotiations or
military efforts, Spain has been on the
point of pacifying Cuba"
The speech from the throne will point
out that the Spanish government has
steadily resisted the American pretensions,
while making all possible concessions to
America on other questions, and would
have gone even further If America had
only undertaken to respect the right and
sovereignty Of Spain in Cuba.
The document will lay stress upon the
fact that America has displayed increased
hostility since Spain granted a suspension
of hostlities at the request Of the pope
and the powers. 1t will make an earnest
appeal to the nation and to all parties to
be true to the national traditions, 10 gath
er around the throne and to vote the sup
plies necessary to defend the honor and
territory of Spain.
At the present moment Spain, though es-
sentially a military nation, is bestowing
her chief attention upon naval prepara-
tions because everybody fully compre-
hends that, in the struggle with the United
States the fate of Cuba and the duration
of the war will entirely depend on the re-
spective navies. The Spanish minister OF
marine, Admiral Bermejo. has done his
best to furnish naval preparations With
the means at his disposal. He has been
we'll assisted by the officials Of his depart
ment. The first available squadron Is now
at Cape Verde, under Admiral Cerver, who
went out with the cruisers Infanta Maria
Teresa and Cristobal Colon, and has been
Joined there by the cruisers Vizcaya and
Amirante OQuendo with view to pro-
tecting the torpedo flotilla.
This squadron is considered quite
match for the flying squadron of America
and may be ordered to pay an unpleasant
visit to North American ports II war
breaks out. A second squadron will be
formed at Cadiz, where Admiral Churruca.
is busy preparing the fleet. The idea Is to
fnpGsptrate- as snap- as thew are ready
Emperador Carlos ", now at Ferrol; car
dinal Cisneros and the Numancia and VIC
toria, broadside ships, the cruiser ALFONSO
XIII. and the Princess Mercedes, the tor
pedo cruiser Maria Molina, three destroy
ers lust received from England, and three
torpedo vessels.
Spain has in her merchant fleet and
coasting population a large supply OF able
seamen, all having served in the royal
navy, and a strong force of marines, among
them three fine battalions just returned
from service in the Philippines. Admiral
Bermeio has paid special attention to MAX
ing use of the fourteen largest steamers
offered by the Compania Transatlantic
mail line and the other firms as auxiliary
cruisers with crews and officers from the
royal navy and heavy and Quick-fring
guns which already have been placed on
the fourteen vessels. Great enthusiasm
prevails in the arsenals and among the sea-
faring population. Spain will do exactly
| what America does. The government
would much prefer to make use OF the
| auxiliary cruisers commissioned as regu-
! lar war vessels.
| Resolutions Adopted
| LONDON, April 2o.-The Madrid cores
pondent of the Daily Mail. telegraphing al
! 6:45 p. m. Tuesday says:
"a cabinet council was held very early