THE WAR.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2097, 23 April 1898, Page 2

THE WAR.

The war between America and Spain, which has been brewing for several months past, will begin in grim earnest-' ness to-day. Spaiu having been given uadi this morning to agree to president McKinley’s ultimatum demanding her to withdraw her troops from Cuba, and grant the. Cubans complete independence. What Spain’s answer will be is sufficiently indicated in,herryecMl of her Minister at who has demanded his passports, and l@fa the capital, and: in the speech of the Queen-Regent at the opening of . the Cortes. Her Majesty, who, along with the young King, the only child in history born with the crowu on his head, was ved by the, populace with inacribable enthusiasm, declared that the-prespnt crisis had been prowithout reason or justice by confident Spain would emerge it in triumph, and that the Cortes would defend her throne and the hotter apd .territory of Spain at whatever sacrifice. ; The speech was received with tremendous applause. The scene was a singularly impressive and brilliant one, all the wealth and beauty of Madrid being present, and the whole atmosphere of the Chamber charged with intense patriotism. In both countries, indeed, national feeling has reached white heat. In America the President’s ultimatum has electrified the whole country and produced euqh excitement as Americans have apt seen or felt since the Civil War, Many persons have been so carried away; that they have lost their reason. The militia have been called out, and the volunteers summoned, and the sound of hasty preparations for the fray is heard throughout the land. Newspaper opinion on the Continent denounces America’s policy as hypocritical, and due to the influence of speculators. The London Stock Exchange iff depressed, and consols have fallen. It is feared that British shipping may suffer from the operations of privateers, but Jthe American Government has announced that it will not grant letters of marque, and attempts are being made to induce Spain to adopt a similar course. "She is not likely, however, to do bo.