Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1896 — SPAIN IS ANGRY [ARTICLE]

SPAIN IS ANGRY

The Aottdo *ff Qongreaa Arousfts a Bitter Feeling. , A Mob aS BSwttoaa Dtahonare to* liaar taoA fllog Fh« Consulate StoArd - Asngrfo Apology WUI Be Bequlred. 4 ' —— Bareoiaaa, March 2.—The fever of indigdhtioa aud hat* against the United State* whioh seems to have taken possession of the heart of all over ths aotioa of th* United State* senate in recognizing the provistenal government of Cuba aa belligerents, and in calling upon President Cleveland to use his good offices with Spain to secure th* Independence of Cuba, culminated in violent scenes her* Sunday and an attack upon the United State* consulate. Th* persons who took part in the diaorderix. demonstrations dearly had the sympathise of the people with them The onlookers from the neighboring houses cheered them with the greatest enthusiasm. The balconies and windows were 1 filled with ladies waving their handkerchiefs as the mob passed through the streets. Herbert W. Bowen is the United States consul general in Barcelona, and H. W. Rider is the vice consul general. Stan and Stripe* Dishonored. Ip the evening there was another outburst of disapproval of the United States and all things American. This time it took the form of publicly dishonoring the American flag. The rioter* had purchased somewhere a large American flag, which, after it had been dragged through the streets, was pulled to pieces amid cries of “Long live Spain,” and “Down with the Americans.” There is still much excitement in the. city. Stoned the Consulate. After this outrage on the American flag, the mob became more violent, and a proposition to make a further demonstration against the American consulate was speedily acted upon. Themob proeeeded to the cumulate, in the meantime arming themselves with stones. Arriving at the consulate a perfect volley of missiles was directed against the shield over the doorway bearing the American coat of arms, which was battered almost to places. The mob in some way became possessed of several American flags, which were destroyed amid ribald jests and expressions of contempt for the nation they represented. Mob Dispersed. The situation was becoming more and more threatening, when reinforcements for the guards at the consulate arrived bi the shape of a detachment of mounted gendarmes. The crowd was ordered to disperse, which they sullenly refused to do, whereupon the gendarmes charged them with drawn swords and put them to flight. Several of the rioters were injured by being trampled cn. Until a late hour the boulevards were thronged by an excited crowd singing the “Marseillaise” and patriotic Spanish songs. s Apologize or Fight. Chicago, March 2.—The Tribune's Washington special says: “Apologize or fight.” That is the sentiment among senators, representatives and government officials. The mobs in Spain have freed Cuba, beyond the shadow of a doubt, and in all probability are in a fair way to receive a thrashing from Uncle Sainih addition. War talk, which was suppressed before, is openly heard now. The Spanish ministry was ai-i-eady tottering. Spain is on the verge of bankruptcy, and caiinot afford to fight. But the mob is supreme and the belief here is general that war between this country and Spain can hardly be averted. The leaders in congress have kept, the rank and file in check as long as possible. The excitement in Spain is certain to be reflected in congress. The resolutions of the senate, which were intended as a friendly intimation of the senitment in America as regards Cuba, will in all probability be changed into a declaration of a firm intention to set Cuba free. That much is certain now. From Another Source. Washington, March 2. —Intense interest centered here in the dispatches showing the demonstrative feelings existing in Spain against the Americans regarding the Cuban question Abd the statement that the government is increasing its naval force. Copier of the press dispatches were shown to public men interested in the question. No surprise was expressed at demonstrations which have occurred; in fact, such were expected. The speeches in the senate, extracts of which have no doubt been published in the Spanish papers, have had their influence on the masses of the people and have thrown them in an unfriendly move against United States officials. The whole matter is regarded here simply as that of mob violence, of which the Spanish government has not in any manner been responsible. Cabinet Meet*. New York, March 2.—A Journal special from Washington says: The Span-ish-American situatibn growing out of the reports of the riots in Barcelona and other cities in Spain was regarded so serious by the president that he decided to convene a special meeting of the cabinet Sunday night, though the call was issued under the guise of a dinner at Secretary Olney’s home; Secretary Olney was promptly advised of the outbreaks in Madrid, Barcelona and other places in Spain by Minister Taylor and the American consuls. He hastened to the white house and laid before the president all the dispatches he had received. Important Communication. The dinner conference lasted until after ten o’clock. During the dinner Secretary Olney produced some very important additional information that had come to him by cable. He read a letter from Minister de Lome, the Spanish minister, inclosing a cable message he had received from his government.