THE WAR CLOUD. THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 51, Issue 51, 22 April 1898, Page 19

THE WAR CLOUD. THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.

Since our last issue went to press, the situation between the United States and Spain has become more acute. Matters have now reached a stage at which the tension between the two countries is well-nigh unendurable. The war-spirit has grown into a war-fever • the preparations for the conflict are being pushed on with feverish activity, and the fleets of both powers are mobilised and ready to striice at any moment. A regrettable feature in the preparations is the number of privateers that are being got ready to prey upon commerce. Spain and the United States were not parties to the treaty of 1856 which declared privateering abolished. In this respect Spain runs very little risk— for she has little to lose —and, in the event of war will undoubtedly endeavour to levy some of the cost of the struggle off the vast and ill-protected commerce of the United States. The only thing that prevents active hostilities is apparently the difference between the Senate and the House of Rapresentatives with regard to the proposed action in Cuba The following is the substance of the Press Association's cable messages since our last issue :— The House of Representatives by 324 to 20 passed a resolution authorising the President to use force to secure permanent peace and a stable independent government for Cuba. A minority proposal for the recognition of the Cuban Republic was rejected by 191 to 150. The Senate Foreign Committee has reported that the Maine was destroyed by the official act of the Spanish authorities, or by gross negligence equivalent to criminal action. A great scene occurred in the House. Members fought and rushed the aisles like madmen, exchanging epithets such as " liars " and " scoundrels." Heavy books were thrown, and the Speaker vainly tried to restore order. One member on appealing not to disgrace Congress was hissed.

The American flying squadron, consisting of two battleships and the armoured cruiser "Brooklyn," and two coast defence cruisers, left Hampton Roads, the naval station at the mouth of James River under sealed orders. The squadron assembled at Key West includes two battleships, the armoured cruiser " New York," four other cruisers, two gunboats, the monitors, and the torpedo flotilla. The American China squadron consists of the cruisers " Olympia," " Baltimore," " Boston," and " Raleigh," and the gunboat " Concord." Five patrol ships and naval reserves guard the coasts of Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey. Eight regiments have been ordered to New Orleans ; seven to Tampa in Florida ; seven to Mobile, in Alabama ; and six cavalry regiments to Chuckarnauga. A flying squadron is stationed in Hampton Roads. The War Office authorities are mobilising regiments at Key West. Congress has been asked to authorise the summoning of 400,000 militia. General Lee's evidence regarding the cause of the Maine disaster has aroused an intense outcry for vengeance throughout the United States.

Cable messages received on the 18th inst. report that the senate by C 7 votes to 21, adopted the resolutions carried by a majority of the Foreign Relations Committee declaring for the iudependence of Cuba and requiring Spain to evacuate the island, and directing President M'Kinley to use force, The Senate then adjourned. As one House directs the employment of extreme measures, while the other merely leaves authority to the President to resort to force if he deems it necessary, a conference between the two Chambers is expected. The Senate resolved that the United States shall not exercise sovereign control, except for the purposes of pacification, and when that is accomplished she will leave Cuba to the control of her own people. The House of Representatives will probably resist the recognition of the Cuban rebel Government. A deadlock between the two Houses is feared. It is stated that the Senate's recognition of the Cuban Republic is the outcome of a Democratic, Populist, Silverite, and Radical pro-Cuban coalition to embarrass President M'Kinley. Other messages announce that the Boston Legislature, inside half an hour, voted half a million dollars for the assistance of the militia of the State of Massachussets, and that Great Britain will treat coal as a contraband of war if shipped to the West Indies.

In Spain the war feeling runs quite as high as in the United States. The American consulates ac Barcelona and Malaga have been attacked by mobs and the windows smashed. The Spanish Government have addressed a Note to the Powers complaining of the offensive attitude of the American Senate towards Spain. The Queen Regent of Spain has abandoned her opposition to war, and subscribed a million pesetas (£40,000) to the war fund. Senor Bernabe, the Spanish Ambassador, has been ordered to withdraw from Washington immediately. Spain is furious at General Lee's imputation of Spanish officers being cognisant of a plot to blow up the Maine. The navy fund has amounted to urore than 3,000,000 pesetas (a peseta is 9£d). The Minister of War and the Minister of Marine reported to the Spanish Cabinet that measures ior the defence of Cuba were completed. The Cabinet decided that the attitude of intervention on the part of America was incompatible with the sovereign rights of Spain. The Government would not admit of interference with internal affairs. An official Note which has been issued adds that Spain will not take action unless America resorts to coercion. Consciousness of right (it says) gives the Government serenity to watch and defend the sacred interests of the Spanish race. General Blanco is negotiating with the Cuban insurgent chiefs for an armistice. Don Carlos has appealed to his supporters to assist the Government. He has also issued a manifesto, in which he declares that the Spanish Government will be traitors if, through fear of war, they permit the Joss of Cuba. Don Carlos announces his intention to visit Spain in order to raise volunteers. The Madrid Press display a warlike tone. One journal states that unless they wish to close Spain's history they must fight. Madrid is practically under martial law. A mob of 5,000 paraded the streets a few days ago demanding the declara-

tion of war The Civil Guards prevented an attack on the American legation. One hundred and seven persons were arrested. Continental sympathies are strongly with Spain, and the French Austrian, and Italian newspapers express an opinion hostile to America s policy. The Pester Lloyd,, published at Buda Pest in what is described as an inspired article, states that the Europ'-an Powers will observe neutrality in the event of hostilities between America and Spain, but that after the war they will make their voices heard. The Spanish Government have purchased from the Hambur"--Amencan Steamship Company two of th*ir fastest vessels for use as ci-uisers These are the "Xormannia," of 8212 tons, and the " Columbia," of 7240 tons. The troubles of Spain are enhanced by a serious revolt in the Philippine Islands. When General Dastella bought over the rebelat the close of the last revolt, he congratulated himself upon ending the rebellion, but it was one thing to bribe HO leaders and another to encompass the complete pacification of the Philippine* The market price of rebels has gone up, and so long as there is a pro-pent of purchase so long: will rebels be forthcoming. Since General Dastella s departure large bands of rebels have bean overrunnin ' the provinces, and wherever they have appeared ruin and rapine "have been recorded They have been animated Yy a desire to pillage and destroy m order to induce the peaceable natives to throw over the present Spanish domination ; but reports as to engagements are conflicting; owing to the censorship over the tele -raoli in -ssa-^s and press and telegraph staffs. ' THE »ATt EAST. The concessions granted to France by China include KwanChung, the right to construct a railway from Tonking to Yunnan Fa via the Red River, the non-alienation of provinces bordering on Tonking, and an arrangement regarding the organisation of° the postal service. China also undertakes not to cede Hainan to another Power. Eastern news states that the Russians continue to display activity at Port Arthur, while the Germans are busy at Kiaou Chau fortifying and surveying railways. As bearing upon the British occupation of Wei-hai-wei, it is stated that the Japanese fortified the place, and that the garrison is now twice as strong as it was 1 1 months ago. The Germans now occupy the whole of the Shantung Province. The Russians are arranging for the storage of 2."i 000 tons of coal. They are gradually overcoming the difficulty through the present scant supply, and are sending 6000 troops and much war material to Port Arthur. Five first-class cruisers have also been ordered professedly for the purposes of commerce, but in reility it is asserted, with orders to prepare revenge for the Chinese concession of Wei-hai-wei to Britain. THE SOUDAN. AdvicesaretohandthatGener.il Kitchener mxd^a triumphal entry into Berber amidst great rejoicings, Mi'iinud and 2) r >) prisoners following the procession. Sla-.in Boy, who was so lon»- a prisoner in the Madhist hands, reminded Mahmud of their mef t?n«-s 'n former years. Mahmud replied, " Wait until you riujh Khirtoum."