The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-31
ONLY OUTwARDLY CALM.
In Madrid the Situation Is Regarded
as Being Critical.
IHE QUESTION or "IMMFDIA1ELY.'
spain wants 10 Know what "Hos
tiIities Must Cease Immediate
Iy'' Means MS 10 Time.

Madrid. March a0.-While the situation
here is olitwardly OF the calmest known
the actual position of affairs Is regarded
as critical by both the United States lega-
j tion and the Spanish government The
United States minister, General Woodford
! Is working theoretically and will continue
to work energetically for SPANS pace
until the first gun is fired. 1t is known this
afternoon the Spanish government admits
! the desirability and necessity OF comply
| ing with the demands of the United States
and 1t Is only in the resignation OF the
ministers TO put this willingness into con-
crete form that the danger lies.
If this conference is to be held with
| British, German or French diplomats, the
| matter viii be settled without question.
| The point which General Woodford Is now
| pressing Is that in the interval hostilities
in Cuba must cease Immediately. NO GATE
was hxed. either in the first or In the pres
ent note, but the premier is now dwelling
on the meaning of the word "immsuately"
ana insisting that Spain accepts It's gen
erai Interpretation.
The public generally Is taking little APP
parent interest in the situation, but there
is a general Discrimination TO believe that
war is likely.
a dispatch from Barcelona says that the
armed steam yacht Giralda. purchased by
the Spanish government from Hardy Nc
calmont, the English race horse own \.
after the vessel had been rejected by the
United States. is now being fitted up as a
dispatch boat.
Ell Pals says four warsnips have been
purchased by Spain from France and that
negotiations are pending for the purchase
OF several torpedo boats In England. Ell
Pais also says orders have been issued to
mobilize all the Spanish warships and the
torpedo boats, the fleet sailing from Car
thagena for Cadiz, where "a second torpedo
squadron is being prepared Military en-
gineers according to Ell Pals. are start
Ing for the Canaries and the Balaric is now
being fortified.
Two regiments. according to FL Pals.
are going to the Canary islands to
strengthen the Spanish garrison there.
The Armstrong Spanish agent, Spaniard
who is in touch with the government and
commercial people in Spain has expressed
the belief that unless the powers Interfere
there will be war.
He added: IF the United States Offers
money for our clearing out of Cuba we
could not accept. but il the proposition
emanated from another power it is certain
that II would be accomplished
MS view OF the case Is echoed by a por-
ton az the Spanish press which advises
Spain to wash her hands of Cuba,
Senior Ortiz de Sarato, prominent for
mer Carlist deputy, who has Just been de-
feated, expresses the opinion that Tiers
will be no war, saying:
I'VE have neither ships, sailors. soldiers.
plans nor money and the government
knows 1t. 1t will struggle to the last and
then cave In
Seuor Sorato rpranttv alrnIdp ut (tndty
says the Spanish warships Pelayo and Car
los " which the government announced
ready for sea, can not possibly be made
ready sooner than In Two months.