Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — THE QUEEN’S SPEECH [ARTICLE]

THE QUEEN’S SPEECH

It Appeals to the Highest Patriotism of the Spanish Nation. READY FOR MEETING OF THE CORTES. I - ■ * ) Calls on the People to Rally to the Support of the Young King and Save the Honor and Integrity of the Country. London, April 19. —The Madrid correspondent of the Dally Mail, telegraphing at ten o'clock Monday evening, says: “During the day the outlook ha* become much worse, and very gloomy views are generally entertained. A few persons, more optimistic than the majority, trust that In a few days' time th* prevailing tension may be lessened. It is the general belief, however, that a rupture Is imminent. “The cabinet council met at four o’clock Monday-afternoon. The session lasted three hour*. Senor Sagasta, the premier, submitted a draft of the speech from the throne. Its tenor is not precisely known, though it makes an appeal to the highest patriotism of the nation. It summarises the International problem and points out that Spain has always presented an accommodating froqt in everything which did not diminish her sovereignty, though she only agreed to grant a cessation of hostilities In Cuba when the pope made his request and the powers joined In counseling It. The speech from the throne appeals to the Spanish people to rally around the young king, save the country and to grant to the government everything which may be necessary and urgent to defend the national honor and integrity. "The cabinet discussed various dispatches relating to the Cuban question and the attitude of the United States. Senor Moret, secretary for the colonies, read a dispatch from Gen. Blanco containing unfavorable news with regard to the attitude of the Cuban rebels. It seems that when the American senate commenced the discussion of and voted in favor of the recognition of Cuban independence, the rebels abandoned their intention of yielding to Spain In return for a broader measure of autonomy, and there is a general popular distrust here as to any outcome of the negotiation* with the rebels. News respecting the progres of events in America is anxiously awaited, but In any case the government will maintain a flrm attitude and will act energetically. It is pointed out that weakness at the present tlm* would be fraught with the utmost danger. Th* debate in the Spanish chambers will be commenced either Saturday or Monday next." Madrid, April 19. —The queen regent holds the speech from tjie throne to study its contents, which will be modified according to the news from Washington or the Insurgent camp. El Globo (liberal) la not hopeful of peace. It thinks war likely, “considering the course taken by President McKinley in presenting his message, which congress would naturally indorse. Pessimism prevails in all quarters. Is Ready to Give Up. London, April 19z—The Rome correspondent of the Daily News says: “I am assured that the queen regent herself, as well as the pope and Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, would favor abandoning Cuba as the only means to avert war. Archbishop Ireland cables that renouncing the island is the only possibility of avoiding war. “According to news received at the Vatican, the queen regent agrees with the pope as to the necessity of doing everything to avoid the risk of a war in which Spain has all to lose and nothing to gain. Still it is very difficult to find a formula to allow Spain to renounce sovereignty over Cuba. “The pope has renewed his efforts to convince tne Madrid government that, although it may be painful to abandon ihe island, it is not dishonorable, Spain yielding to superior force, while with war Cuba would hardly b* the only possession lost, and if others went also Internal troubles would be inevitable. “At the Vatican it is asserted that Austria and England have acted on the same lines, encouraging Spain to submit to the inevitable and abandon Cuba. They cite the recent example of Greece, which rejected the disinterested advice of the powers. Contrary to custom, at Monday’s papal mass, Baron von Bulow, Prussian minister to the Vatican, and M. Poubelle, the French ambassador, were present and afterward held a long conference with the pontiff on the Spanish question. Both the pope and Cardinal Rampolla, the papal secretary of state, expressed »atisfaction that the Turpie amendment, recognizing the Cuban government, had been passed by the American senate, considering that it is a new delay and means the continuance of President McKinley’s policy of giving Spain time to decide upon the best way to evacuate Cuba.”