The record-union., 1898-03-27

LONDON, March 26.-(Coprighted
1898, by the Associated Press.)-Al-
though public opinion on this side of
the Atlantic, as in America, had al
ready discounted the findings of the
United States Court of Inquiry into the
loss of the Maine, and actual confirma-
ton was expected, the verdict only
served to whet peoples appetites 1t
has in no way aIIeviated the suspense
or the anxiety in regard to the imme-
date effect produced by the report nor
the eagerness to know the position
which President Mckinley and his
Cabinet propose to take in this difficult
and delicate situation.
There is little hope here that hostil-
tiles can be avoided, and it is believed
the revelation now officially made will
so combine the other factors of the sit
uation as to make war inevitable,
though it is still regarded as possible
that Spain, at the last moment, Will
see the hopelessness of maintaining her
position, and yield to the inevitable
without, as a British Admiralty official
said, having the lesson numerically
hammered into her, although the ham,
mering may possibly not be accom-
pHshed until after her spirits have been
raised by a temporary success"
DEPENDS ON SPANISH TEMPER.
So far as it is possible to ascertain
the general diplomatic opinion, it can
be summed up in the words of For
eign Office officer who remarked:
THE preservation of peace depends
upon the temper Spain displays when
the inevitable notification is delivered.
The President proposes to relieve the
sufferers by distributing food, clothes
and medicines from American war
ships and transports, precisely as Great
Britain is now, unoficially and on a
smaller scale, doing in Crete, and I'M
less Spain pockets her overweening
conceit, which has hitherto made the
recognition of her failure impossible to
her, a rupture must come from that
quarter, and Spain will put herself
hopelessly in the wrong
SPANS pretensions of preparedness
for war, and her Finance Minister'S as
surance that she has sufficient funds
therefor, are equally untenable, unless
the latter contemplates the immediate
suspension Of specie payments and the
payment of the interest on the debt.
The truth is that Spain is no more in a
position to fight the United States
than was Greece to fight Turkey.
1.-The one great hope of the Euro
pean ChanceIlories is that the Presi-
detn will succeed in delaying the ex-
plosion until, under the guise of au-
tonomy, arrangements may possibly
be made to facilitate SPANS giving up
Cuba. 1t must be remembered that for
two years, although Spain has at times
assumed a vigorous attitude, she has
L
the crisis was reached The sugges-
ton of the Continental press of inter
vention upon the part of the European
Powers is mischievous, and nothing is
more certain to provoke hOstilities."
The "Statist" says: THE Govern
ment is indebted to the Bank of Spain
between eleven and twelve hundred
million pesetas, about 40 per cent. more
than in 1897, and the position of the
bank is such that the suspension of
specie payments is bound to follow any
large tender Of notes. It's bullion is
only 40 per cent. of it's note circula-
ton"
EFFORTS TO AROUSE A SENSE
OF WRONG
According to Madrid advices, the pa
pers there are whistling loudly, trying
to arouse q, sense of wrong with the
doctrine that war de facto was declar-
ed when the United tSates permitted
support to be furnished to the insur-
gents. Early during the week strict
censorship denuded the newspapers of
news, and created widespread alarm
This was enhanced by the suppression
Of all news of the movements of the
Spanish torpedo tiotilla and the an
nouncement that a cruiser would ac-
! f1,n 4 III oh
taken to mean that the Spaniards fear
ed attempts would be made by the
United States to stop the f1otilla on its
way to Porto Rico.
SPANISH ELECTIONS.
Great interest is taken in the cleo
tions tomorrow for the members of
the Spanish Chamber of Deputies. It
is reported that General Weyler has
telegraphed to his fgriends in Cuba to
withdraw their candidatures for seats
in the Cuban Chamber.
RAILWAY MYSTERIES IN ENG
LAND.
The numerous railway mysteries
(there have been five of them since
Sunday have caused a renewed out
cry against the dangers of compart-
ment carriages, and there are demands
that legislation compel the railroads to
| adopt corridor cars. Inc DodleS OF
three male passengers have been found
this week on railroad tracks in different
parts of the country, circumstances
pointing foul play, and two men
have been shot in railway carriages.
BRITISH DIPLOMACY IN CHINA.
Mystery mongering is still the chief
stock in trade of the Foreign Office,
but its big words and apparent craven
actions no longer satisfy the public,
and Conservatives and Liberals are
equally alarmed at the apparent fall
ure of British diplomacy in China,
where Great Britains open door" has
been slammed in her face. Unless the
Government early in the week clearly
outlines it's position, it probably will
be compelled to take the country into
its confidence by a motion for the adj
journment of the House of Commons,
which many Unionists will support.
GIadstone's Condition Critical.
LONDON, March 26.-Elaborate pre-
cautions have been taken to keep any
information from reaching the press
concerning Mr.. Gladstone, but it is
learned that his condition is more crit