The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-04
ENGLAND IS IGNORANT
OF CONDITIONS PREVAILING OFF
i, CUBA
BUT SHE IS BETTER INFORMED
Regarding the Doings at Madrid.
Notes on Scenes Presented During
the Spanish Debate
Associated Press Special Wire


LONDON, May s-While Manila is cut
cut or, there is almost as great silence
respecting the exact situation of affairs
on the Atlantic. The papers indulge in all
kinds of speculations as to the probable
meeting of the fleets on the ocean, and
cannot bring themselves to believe that
Admiral Simpsons entire fleet has been
withdrawn from Havana, as 1t is consid-
cred quite strong enough to divide without
running extravagant risks.
Interest for the moment has shifted to
Madrid, which appears to be on the eve
of a military pronunciamento. Gen. Wey-
Ter is the popular idol. He has, however,
no actual command at present and there
tore cannot pronounce in his own person.
1t is probable that the censorship hides
the real gravity Of the situation. 1t is ex-
tremely likely that martial law has been
proclaimed in other big cities. Energetic
measures on the part of the government,
especially If a scapegoat can be found, may
stave off a possible outburst, but the scenes
in the cortes indicate very ugly temper
on the part of the populace.
According to a special dispatch from
Madrid, the chamber Qower house of the
cortes) assembled amid scenes of wild ex-
citement unparalleled during the last
twenty years. There were great crowds
present long before the deputies came to-
gether, and the galleries and Hobbies were
thronged Intense excitement prevailed
and SO fearful were the authorities of
public outbreak of violence that the full
police strength Of the city was put under
requisition and the troops were kept in
barracks under arms. Scandalous Incl
dIrinD Senior
Eagasta's speech, scenes that filled the
Moderate members with shame The Re
publicans and Carlists shrieked abominable
and insulting denunciations.
During the debate Senior Llornes, Carlist,
read letter from Manila to the effect that
no kind of defense exists there. Gen. Cor
rea, minister of war, declared that the enc
my would never set foot In Manila, as the
garrison was strong enough to repulse
them. Admiral Bermejo explained the
technical impossibility of establishing de-
lenses In Manila bay.
Senior Sagasta declared that the repub-
Mean system did not deserve the praises
Senior Salmeron bestowed upon it,
'"The United States is a republic" he
said, ''yet 1t employed toward Spain pol
icy of kind more base than the world has
ever seen before. It does not dare to make
war face to face. 1t seeks by indirect meth
DDS to do Spain an injury. 1 am certain
the United States would be pleased to see
an uprising provoked in Spain by the Re-
publicans.
This was followed by loud Conservative
cheers and Republican protests.
Bitter Criticism
MADRID. May Accommodating upon the
battle at Manila, FL Nacional, which is the
organ of the Weylerite party, says:
yesterday, when the first intelligence
arrived, nothing better occurred to Ad-
miral Bermejo minister of marine) than
to send to all the newspapers comparative
statistics of the two contending squadrons.
BY this comparison he sought to direct
public attention to the immense superior
ity Of ironclads over a squadron of wood
en- vessels, dried by the heat in those lati-
tudes. Spain undoubtedly sees therein the
heroism of our marines, but she also and
above all sees the nefarious crime of the
government. 1t is unfair to blame the
enemy for possessing forces superior to
ours, but what is worthy Of being blamed
with all possible vehemence is this infam-
Gus government, which allowed our in
feriority without neutralizing it by means
of preparation"
With reference to the catastrophe Ell Ma
cional continues:
"a good battery off Corregidor island
with great refectors and guns capable Of
eweeping the seas for miles around, would
have kept the American squadron out OF
the bay. In Corregidor were only a few
wretched guns taken from the warships a
few days ago. This is the truth. Oul
sailors have been basely delivered over td
the grapeshot of the Yankees, a fate nobler
and more worthy of respect than thosf
baneful ministers who brought about the
first victory and it's first victims"
Ell Heraldo de Madrid says: ut was nc
caprice of the fortunes of war. From the
very first cannon shot our fragile ships
were at the mercy of the formidable hostile