The record-union., 1898-04-20
Nor Will She Be aParty TO Traffiek-
ing for Her Possessions.
Remarks Of Premier Sagasta to Supporters
Of the Government in Both Houses
Of the Spanish
Parliament.

NADItID, ApTH IL WA HdflS).-1ne
supporters of the Government in both
houses of Parliament met in the SEN
ate chamber at 5 o'clock this after
noon. Senior Sagasta, the Premier, ad-
dressed them as follows:
THE times are so grave and the cir
| cumstances are so exceptional that
acts and not words are necessary to
! face the present difficulty. Attempts
are being made to sully the glorious
! history of Spain by an infamous cal
umny. The different Spanish Govern
ments have done their utmost to avert
war, to which we are being provoked.
We have now reached the limits OF
concession compatible with honor and
| territorial integrity. We consented to
the Pope and the Powers. We yielded
| in fact; but now attempts are being
made upon our honor and. menaces di-
rected against our territory. That is
thing to which Spaniards will never
consent. (Applause)
This is not the moment to trace a
parliamentary programme, but the
moment to unite ourselves as our
fathers have done, in the face of an
odious attempt against the integrity of
our territory. The insult offered to-
day is the most infamous that has ever
| been offered" prolonged applause.)
Continuing, Senior Sagasta counseled
| 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 a
Iparcel of her territory to be taken from
her with impunity; nor will she be a
party to any trafficking for her pos
sessions" prolonged cheers)
| The Ministers met to-day to modify
the speech from the throne in conform
| ity with the situation. Senior Silvela,
leader of the dissident Conservatives,
when addressing his party, declared it
'inopportune to formulate a political
programme" He evoked the memory
of the late Senior Canovas del Castillo,
and declared that he and his party
would aid the Government by voting
as much as should be necessary for the
national defense without any opposi-
ton, although making note of the re-
sponsibility incurred, in order to in
vestigate it, if need be, at a more op-
perfume time. He declared also that
the dissident Conservatives would re-
spect 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
Seldom has there been witnessed a
more impressive or significant scene.
The large hall of the Senate was dense
ly packed with Liberal Senators and
Deputies who listened with breathless
attention to the short speech of Senior
Sagasta, only interrupting him with an
unanimous and loud applause when he
indignantly alluded to the "unjustified
and Infamous aspersions cast upon
SPAIN with regard to the Maine dis
aster. Even more enthusiastic APP
plause greeted his stirring words when
he stoutly and proudly declared that
the Government hoped to receive 'the
support of all Spaniards, lin defense of
their territory and ancient rights
against more odious and unfair aggres-
sions than any of their ancestors had
repelled with the same energy and
courage"
If the idea still existed in the mind
of any one here that war could be
averted. Senior Sagasta's firm speech
is regarded as finally settling all
doubts.