America and Spain.

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1898, Page 2

America and Spain.

Madrid and other towua in Spain are in a very excited Btate.

Crowds singing patriotically have been repeatedly dispersed, and hundreds of arrests made.

. General Lee, American Consul at Havana, reportH th > 200,000 Cuban peasantry have dud of starvation. He supplies horrible details.

There is danger of the Eepublican and Jingo parties in Congress combining over the Cuban question. The Democrates have adopted a mandatory resolution directing Preai dent McKinley to interfere in Cuba immediately. The Foreign Relations Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives are discussing President Me Kinley's Message; The extremists desire to recognise the independence of Cuba, aud declare for an immediate armed intervention.

The Senate Chmmiftee, which is largely composed of Jingoa, proposes to empower the President to use fores if necessary.

The House of Representatives Committee advocates more moderate measures.

It is expected that a comp omise betwee the committees will hu i.gr t rd upon.

The second battalion of \\\<>. Lnins*er Regiment has been o^i ( j j om Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Jiim.-uci, to prevent tnfl islund being Uotd a3 the base of oppi-aiion-- by the belligerents in case "f w v- b j i ween Spain and the United St»t-»s.

The Standard say* Spain mu3t either resist intervention in Cuba by force or evacuate the ishml. It declares that it has no confidence in in the Spanish Government.

The House ot Representatives, by 824 votes to 20, passed a resolution authorising the President to use force to secure permanent peace and stable independent government for Cuba.

A minority proposal for the recognition nf the Outan Republic was r jo^ed by 191 to 150.

The Sanate Foreign Relations Committee has reported that the d<"truoHon of the Maine was an official act of the Spanish authorities or gross n?gligence equivalent to a criminal action.

A great scene occurred in the House.

Members fought and rushed tbe aisles like madmen, exchanging "pitheta such as " liars," " scoun drels."

Heavy books were thrown, and the Speaker vainly tried to restore order.

One member on appealing that they should not drgrace Congress was hissed.

The Minister of War and Minister of Marine have reported to the Spanish Cabinet that the measures for the defence of Cuba are completed.

The Cabinet decided that the attitude of intervention on the part of America was incompatible with the sovereign right 3of Spain, and the Government would not admit of interference with its internal affairs.

An official note which has been issued adds that Spain will not take action unless" America resorts to coercion, and the consciousness of rights 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.

Tbe Madrid press displays a warlike tone.

One journal states that unless the people wish tb»close Spain's history they mußt fights . ,

Madrid is practically under martial law. ■•'•..

A mob of 5000 are parading the streets demanding a declaration of war.

The- Civil Guard prevented an attack on the American Legation! - One hundred and seven persons were arrested.