Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1898 — ORDERED TO MEET. [ARTICLE]

ORDERED TO MEET.

The Queen Regent Convokes the Spanish Parliament. I WILL ASSEMBLE WEDNESDAY NEXT; n The Incident Confirm* the Belief in Madrid That a Conflict la Inevitable—Spain to Address a Note to the Powers. Madrid, April 15. A cabinet council, at which the queen regent presided, was held Thursday afternoon. It decided to reopen the Spanish parliament on Wednesday next, instead of April 25. The queen regent signed the decree convoking the Spanish parliament at six o’clock Thursday evening. At the cabinet meeting the premier, Senor Sagasta, made a stateihenton the subject of the recent development of the Cuban situation as effected by events in Washington. He declared the situation was very serious, and while pointing out that “the debates in congress have no legal value” he said he deemed it advisable to expedite the reopening of the cortes, in order to allow the national opinion and its representatives to declare the will of the people and to enable the government to act in accord with the nation. The preamble of the summons for the convocation of the cortes to be published in to-day's Official Gazette assumed a very determined tone in justifying the convocation. Senor Sagasta, on leaving the palace, said that Senor Gullon, the minister of foreign affairs, would report to the European powers the attitude assumed by the United States. After the cabinet council the ministers reassembled at the ministry for foreign affairs and there discussed the question of sending a note to the great powers, communicating the decisions arrived at during the day’s cabinet meeting and explaining the situation from the Spanish standpoint. War Inevitable. The action of the council confirms the general belief here that a conflict is inevitable and has produced much excitement. The decision was published in an extra, which sold rapidly in all parts of the town. The council decided (in addition to what has been already cabled) to instruct all Spain’s representatives abroad to “protest against the calumnious charge against her,” as embodied in the reports of the ’ foreign relations committees of the senate and house of representatives. It also authorizes Senor Gullon the moment he hears that the resolutldns-pro-posed in congress against sovereignty are sanctioned by President McKinley to order the withdrawal of Senor Polo y Bernabe. t eyler I* Summoned. Gen. V eyler, the former captain-gen-eral of Cuba, arrived in Madrid Thursday, apparently being called here by the government. He was met at the railroad station by Gen. Prat, in full uniform, and many friends, military men and civilians. The governor of Madrid prohibited the demon st ratoons which it was proposed to make. When questioned on the subject Gyn. Weyler refused to say he was called to Madrid by the government, but he added: “I have indeed offered my services to the queen. T consider war with America inevitable, or Cuba is lost to Spain. 1 believe war is preferable to a continuation of the prolonged tension between Washington and Madrid.” Threaten to Abdicate. London, April 15. —The Madrid correspondent of the Morning, Post telegraphing by way of Biarritz, says: “The queen regent has informed the members of her court that it is her intention to abdicate Immediately if the cabinet takes any stops derogatory to Spain’s honor and dignity.” Advised to Declare War. London, April 15. —The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Mail says: “Several European powers. Including Austria, are reported to have advised Spain to declare war because further delay or concessions would be likely' to provoke a revolution.” Hitter Feeling In France. Paris, April 15.—The feeling here of Isoth the press and the public is very strong against the United States, especially since President McKinley’s message. Mr. McKinley is compared to Pontius Pilate, and the American congress is accused of a buccaneering spirit, which it is feared will extend to the possessions of other nations as well as those of Spain. Fedina In Germany. Berlin, April 15.—-Owing to the million* of Germane in America, the excitement in Berlin is intense. Nearly all the papers refer in strong language to President McKinley’s message and the feeling of the public is strongly against the United States. lloNtlle to Our Punltlun. London, April 15. —The morning papers are tilled with dispatches from the continent, nearly all oLthe same tenor. The belief that wilt isZnevitable is universal, ns well us thlMMdiuguf hostility to the United Stales.papers contain also numerous artiimk speculating upon the effect of war upon securities, the markete and other interests. Will Not Provoke HoslllHle*. London, April 15.—-The Madrid correspondent of the Daily Mail says: “I have just had a conversation with Senor Sagasta, who assured me that the government was absolutely resolved not to provoke hostilities with America.” Powers May Act. Washington, April 15.- II is learned in high diplomatic quarters that an exchange of notes had begun between the European capitals with a vieVv to making strong representations on the Span-ish-American situation. In the fame connection an informal meeting of the ambassadors and ministers in thTs city

■>r the trfx great powers of Europe held late lit the day. Several of the for■ign establishments received cable advices from their governments as to theipening of the exchange of notes. Thia had been anticipated in view of the prevailing sentiment in all the foreign piarters here that the action thus fartaken in congress made war inevitable. This common opinion had been officially reported to the sev’efnl European capitals and It was doubtless instrumental in starting the active exchanges between the great powers ThursdayThe same exchriiige occurred a week igo as a prelinlin/ary to the joint note? f the great powers presented to I’rcsient McKinley mildly urging a peace—ul settlement with Spain. II is Under—food, however, that the pr sent movement is not of the same mild character ns the former one. Spuin'* Appeal. Simultaneous with the opening of the exchange word.came from Madrid that the Spanish governmejiLwas about to Issue another appeal to the great, (towers of Europe. It is understood that this appeal is an initiatory to the concerted action of the powers, and theae is apparent agreement in advame that the appeal will receive favorable consideration. It is. said that Spain’s appeal will recite her grievances against the United States, stating in detail the many concession's she has made, and pointing out that it was in response to the urgent representation of the aix joint powers that the last concession of an armistice was granted. If the powers determine to act, their influence probably will be particularly directed toward inducing the United States to grant Spain sufficient time within which to try the armistice recently proclaimed. During the recent joint action of the powers their main influence was exerted at- Madrid, the only action at Washington the courteous expression of hope for peace. Limit I* Rebelled. But the present movement contemplates that the influence shall be exerted at Washington rather than at Madrid, and it is the common belief in diplomatic quarters that the Madrid authorities have reached the limit of concessions, and should now be given adequate time to try what they and the powers have offered as a means of restoring peace in Cuba. There is no suggestion, however, that this intiuenea at present will be of a material character, but is expected to be an assertion of all the moral influence of the powers, in checking tendencies which, ft is believed. inevitably will lead to war. ' Some May Remain Quiet. It is not so certain, however, that all of the powers are ready for a step of this character, Germany has of late shown a disposition to avoid exerting strong Influences on the United States. Russia Is also thought to be somewhat indifferent. France and Austria are most active in the present movement, ns they were in the former o»e. Whether all of the six great powers are ready to join in the movement is to doubt, and without this united action It is felt that the, force of such iiifluerjce would be lost.