River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-05-05
Spain.

SPAIN
Serious difficulties confront Spain
in the attempt she is now making to
defend her alleged "honor." The
greatest of these is a threatened
revolution for the overthrow of the
home government, and the appre-
hension Of danger from this source
is constantly increasing. When the
ruling power at Madrid received its
invitation from the United States to
get off the western hemisphere it
had to choose one of two alternatives,
a fight with a foreign power, or war
at home. In the hope of harmonizlng
discordant elements at home by a
refusal to accede to the demand of
this country, the alternative Of war
with a foreign power was chosen
with a great show Of enthusiasm.
But internal discussions are too
deeply seated to be eradicated by
appeals in behalf of a common
cause. Not only this, but the feel
ing of discomfort is being aggravated
by the government giving out re-
ports favorable to the Spanish arms,
which are known by officials to be
false, and which the populace are
learning were given out with q
knowledge Of their absolute I'M
truthfulness. This fact is another
illustration Of the deceitful and
treacherous instincts ofthe Spanish
race.
The presidents call upon the sew
eral states for their quota Of the 1885,
900 troops demanded has been
promptly and cheerfully responded
to by the voluntary offer of more
than the number required. This
army of volunteers is composed al
most exclusively of the National
Guard, organized militia, which has
been drilled in company and bat
TALON practice, and are practically
ready for active service when proper
ly armed and equipped. Gov Soho
fields proclamation has the tenor of
patriotism and the ring Of martial
enthusiasm, as may be gathered
from the following sentences:
This is not a war of conquest nor
for the acquisition Of territory, but a
conflict solemnly entered upon for
the avowed purpose of thwarting
tyranny and putting an end to the
terrible suffering which has been in
hicted upon a neighboring people by
the Spanish nation.
When war is declared for such a
purpose it should be esteemed not a
duty merely, but the glorious priv
lege of loyal citizens to come I'M
mediately, and with enthusiasm, to
the support Of the government.
1t is the expressed wish of the
President that the National Guard
of the various states be the first al
lowed to volunteer. With loyalty
and promptness that are inspiring,
the entire National Guard of Wis
consin have already offered their
| services. and their splendid example
is being followed by thousands Of
others who desire to be of assistance
to their country.
Wisconsin's quota under the call
is three regiments OF intantry, which
represents the entire strength of the
| guard as now organized.
| To the women of the state we look
for that sympathy and brave sup
port which they have given so freely
in other days when called upon tC
make sacrifices for their country.
| Wisconsin soldiery have a proud
record in the annals of the nation
| and the training of our nationa
| guard, their splendid standing as {
| well disciplined and well equipped
military organization, give warran
| that the luster of that record vii
not be dimmed. We send to The
| front as our first contribution to tht
nations support as fine a body o
young men as were eyer prompted
| by patriotism to take up arms in be
| half Of their country"
The Spanish authorities at Madric
ordered an indefinite >postponemen
Of proposed May parties and bull
fights in Spain on account of tn
Dewey weather prevailing at tn
pb;11;,;,o Islands as the assan1hlin,