The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-02
War Seems Inevitable,
Continued from First Page.)
wooDFoRD MAKING READY
Spanish Sour Grapes" Over Purchase
of Warships.


London. April la special dispatch
from Madrid, says United States Min
lister Woodford is making the necessary
preparations TO leave Madrid Immediate
ly in the event of diplomatic rupture
The Madrid correspondent of the
Daily Mail, says
Spain, acting on the principle, Isl Wis
Pacem Para bellum' Gf you wish peace
prepare for war; continues her prepare.
tions for possible hostilities with Ameri-
en-. The coast defenses of the peninsula
are in an efficient state, rather more 81
than two years ago. When the seizure
of the Competitor by Lieutenant General
Weyler brought the two countries to the
verge of hostilities these defenses were
inspected by an eminent Spanish general
and the necessary works have gone
quietly on ever since.
1T is publicly announced that the
MARQUIS Cornillas, President of the
Spanish Transatlantic Line, whose YES
sells ply to Cuba, West Africa and South
America, has placed his entire feet at
the disposal OF the government Like
those of several nations the steamers of
this line can be converted into cruisers.
The buying of warships by the
United States causes no uneasineSs i'm
this country (Spain) The few nff~~od
for sale were rejected by Spain on ter,,-
nical grounds: and, beside. the Washing
ton authorities. with their appropriation
Of S50.000.000 came rather too late into
the market to get good value for their
money.
"'rhe ceremony of hosting the Spanish
flag on the steel twin-screw schooner
yacht Giralda formerly the property of
Mr.. II. L. Il. McCalmont), was cele-
brated at Barcelona two days ago by the
commander and officers Of the Spanish
gunboat Pillar.
"The Giralda. with her guns will he
ready for action in a very few days"
The Daily Graphic says:
"War may be regarded as inevitable
within very few weeks. The conciia-
tory form of Spainis refusal of the
American demands can only produce Il
short delay Few reasonable people will
question the wisdom of the United
States in the course they have adopted.
Spain had her chance and lost it.
The Madrid correspondent Of the
Standard, says:
Both United States Minimster Wood
ford and the Spanish Ministers show
pointed reserve concerning the contents
Of the Spanish memorandum; but it is
said to be a remarkable strong re-state-
ment of the Spanish case on all the
points raised by the United States. and
especially in regard to the pacification of
Cuba and the settlement of the Cuban
question from the Spanish point of view.
I'm political and diplomatic circles
the situation is deemed critical. The
Impartial says the government has re-
ceiyed excellent impressions on the ia
yorable attitude of European contin-
entail powers, whose friendly disposition
toward Spain has been strengthened
by the fact that the United States and
England have lately been drawn closer
by their common interests in China. 1t
asserts that the French and Russian
governments have asked Spain to stass
clearly the maximum of concessions she
can make to Cuba and the United
States, with view of enabling those
powers to exercise pressure Mt Wash
ngton in favor Of the preservation of
peace and the Spanish rule in Cuba.
Eel Liberal says that Spain must trust
solely to her own energies. | under
stand this paper echoes the impression
that is dominant in diplomatic circles
and among the Spanish statesmen. On
the other hand the Ministers and their
supporters seem still to entertain some
nope that President Mckinley may hest
tate, and again attempt to stem the war
currents prevailing in his parliament and
country. now that the Spanish reply
leaves no doubt that the Queen and her
ministers will not surrender Cuba with
out struggle. however costly and nm
equal it may prove to be.
The news of the arrival of the Span
ish torpedo flotilla at Porto Rico reach
ed London too late TO appear in this
mornings papers.
BESIDE the two battalions of infan-
try and the battalion of engineers or
lerded 10 the Canaries half II battalion
If artillery and q regiment of marines
will be sent there. The Bishop of the
Canary Islands, in sympathy with the
patriotic movement in Spain, is prepar-
ing his palace and seminary buildings for
conversion in barracks and lodgings for
the troops to be sent. One of the regi-
ments OF marines expected from the
PHILIPPINES will he sent to Porto Rico,
with artillerymen and additional infan-
try and possibly some guns.
"Ieemforcements are also about to be
sent to strengthen the garrisons of the
Spanish possessions in North Africa.
| though they are strong enough already;
IS these posts have an exclusively mil
tary character and arc always consid-
cred as in a state of war. Special at
| tent.on is also being paid to the Philli-
pines.
The standing army sent there to put
| down the insurrection will be main
| tanned though nor many weeks ago, II
was proposed TO send part of it back
| to Spain. The Philippine residents OF
Madrid have sent AN address to the gov
eminent offering to return to Manila
and to organize there native volunteer
regiments. to be commanded by Span
sh officers of the regular army.
LONDON SENTIMENT.
TIE Times says editorially this morn
| ing:
/ There is much to sympathze with IN
the attitude Of both Spain and America
1t is easy to see how the two proud ma
| tons, without many bonds of tradition
or social sympathy. may find themselves
involved before they fully realize the
Iperls in the grim realities of war.
L t'It &c not ,tnno frrn1lxr e11SnpptpU that