The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-20
SAGASTA TALKS.
Makes LOng-Looked-FOr Adj
dress Before Spanish COrtes.
Says United States is Guilty of
Unfair AggressiOns.
WAR is DEMANDED.
Action of United States Called
an sEInfamOuS Insult"
Exciting Session of the Span
iSh Houses of Parliament.

Madrid, via Paris, April 20.-The sup
porters of the government in both hous-
es of parliament met in the senate
chamber at o'clock yesterday. Senior
Sagasta, the prime minister addressed
them as follows:
1.-THE times are so grave and the cir
cumStances are so exceptional that acts
not words are necessary to face the
present difficulty. Attempts are being
made to sully the glorious history OF
Spain by an infamous calumny. The
Spanish government has done its ut
most to avert war, to which we are be-
ing provoked. We have now reached
the limits of concession compatible with
honor and territorial integrity. We
consented to the last concession at the
instance of the pope and the powers.
We yielded, in fact, but now attempts
are being made upon our honor and me-
naces are directed against our territory.
That is a thing to which Spaniards will
never consent. (Applause.) This is
not the moment to trace a parliamentary
program, but the movement to unite
ourselves, as our fathers have done, in
the fact of an OdiouS attempt against
the integrity of our territory. The in
suit offered US today is the most infa-
nous that ever has been offered" pro-
1Onged applause)
Continuing, Senior Segasta counselled
the rapid constitution of the chambers
in order to accord to the government
the means to defend the countrys in
terests.
'Spain," he added, will not allow
her with impunity; nor will she be
party to any trafficking for her possess
sions." prolonged and enthusiastic
cheerS.)
The ministers met today to modify
the speech from the throne in conform
ity with the situation. Senior Silvela,
leader of the Conservatives, when adj
dressing his party, declared it ''inoppor-
tune to formulate political program
He evoked the memory of the late Sc
nor 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 de-
Tense without any opposition, although
making note of the responsibility in
CURED in order to investigate it, if need
be, at a more opportune time. He de-
clared also that the Conservatives
would respect whatever financial ar
engagements the government might en-
ter into, no matter what these might
cost, as it was the 'only means of Sc
curing, later on, peace with honor.
Seldom has there been witnessed a
more impressive and significant scene.
The large hall of the senate was dense
ly crowded with Liberal senators and
deputies, who listened with GREATNESS
attention to the speech of Senior Sa-
gasta, only interrupting him with unan-
imous and loud applause when he in
and Infamous aspersions cast upon
Spain" with regard to the Maine disas-
ter.
Even more enthusiastic applause greeted
his closing words, when he stoutly and
proudly declared that the government
hoped to receive the support of all Span
iards ''in defense of their territory and
ancient rights against more odious and
unfair aggressions than any of their an
If the idea still existed in the mind of
any one here that war could be avoided,
Senior Sagasta's firm speech is regarded as
finally settling all doubts.
A this hOur the lOhbiPS of narlia ment
are crowded with members, new deputies
and politicians, all discussing the situa-
ton. The one predominating word is
Ell Correro, ministerial. says:
1.-The resolution of the American con-
gress not only authorizes the president.
as he desired in his message, to intervene
in Cuba, but orders him to do immedi-
ately and the Independence recognition of
the republic) clause being expunged, which
might have incurred a veto, the president
will probably square his action with the
decree of the chambers.
What he will probably do is to give the
resolution immediate effect or from mo-
a few days pass inoperativeIy. Any way.
be- p079-
Ell Epoca, Conservative. asserts that
anarchy reigns in the legislative and eX-
ecutive branches of the American govern
ment."
After pointing to the ''unpreparedness
for war of the United States" Ell Epoca
says it considers President Mckinley
simultaneously daring and weak, yield
ing to lingo demands and yet saddling
his parliament with the responsibility.
prove that there has been "a violation of
the constitution in legislative and execu-
tive procedure and adds:
''WhiIe President Mckinley requests a
free hand, congress votes mandate, the
president remaining impotent to resist the
war party or to rouse peaceful influences
Mr.. R, G. Martin returned yesterday
from TT. Madison, ILL.,, and reports his