The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 23, June 9, 1898 | Page 6

Leon y Castillo as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Señor Castillo did
not accept the office, which was then offered to Duke Almodovar de
Rio, who has accepted.
The duke said that he did not wish the office, but accepted it on
patriotic grounds, "as every Spaniard is bound to devote all his powers
to the defence of his country." The duke is well and favorably known in
England, where he was educated, and it is considered that the choice
for this office is a good one.
The Spanish Minister of Finance, in discussing Spain's financial
condition, recently said that he considered it satisfactory, and that the
payment of all expenses of the war is assured; as a means of raising
additional funds he proposes to convert the floating debt, now
amounting to about 500,000,000 pesetas, into treasury bonds of small
denomination, and to extend the Bank of Spain note issues. Spain may
by this issue of additional paper money find herself in as unfortunate a
position as did Cuba when Weyler endeavored to force paper money
upon the people there. With an increase of twenty per cent. on taxes of
all kinds, and with a paper money of doubtful value, Spain will indeed
be in a sorry predicament.
Later reports from Spain would indicate that a crisis is approaching;
business is at a standstill, and a famine imminent, as provisions are so
high as to place them beyond the reach of the poorer people. It is
thought that if an encounter with our fleet ends in disaster to Admiral
Cervera, a revolution is inevitable. It is said that Emperor Francis
Joseph of Austria has advised the Queen to leave the country, but that

she has expressed her determination to remain and face the result.
* * * * *
Lieutenant Carranza, to whom we are indebted for the admirable
explanation of why Spain should not be held responsible for the Maine
disaster, published in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD some weeks ago,
is having an unpleasant time in Canada. Together with several other
Spanish officials he has been carrying on an "information bureau" for
the Spanish Government; by information bureau we mean a system of
receiving and forwarding reports to the Spanish Government in
reference to our fortifications, etc. The present trouble has arisen from
the fact that a letter containing important information has been mislaid;
he accuses Joseph Kellert, a Montreal detective, and two other persons
of entering his room and stealing this letter. They are making such a
fuss over the matter that the letter must have been an exceedingly
important one.
[Illustration: NEGRO TYPE--PHILIPPINE ISLANDS]
* * * * *
[Illustration: MALAY TYPE--PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.]
A despatch has been received from Admiral Dewey, dated May 20th,
addressed to the Secretary of the Navy; he cables as follows:
"Situation is unchanged. Blockade is continued. There is a great
scarcity of provisions in Manila. The foreign subjects fear an outbreak
of Spanish soldiers; arrangements have been made for the transfer of
these foreign subjects to Cavite if necessary. The rebel
commander-in-chief, Aguinaldo, who was brought here by the
McCulloch, is reorganizing a force, and may render assistance that will
be valuable."
[Illustration: THE CASINO ESPAÑOL, FACING PLAZA,
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.]

The first shipment of troops to the Philippine Islands started May 25th
on the three transports, City of Pekin, Australia, and City of Sydney.
When these vessels left San Francisco, late in the afternoon, the shores
were lined with people, and there was great enthusiasm. These three
transports carry about twenty-five hundred men; the expedition is under
command of Brigadier-General Anderson, and consists of four
companies of regulars under Major Robe; the First Regiment California
Volunteers, Colonel Smith; the First Regiment Oregon Volunteers,
Colonel Summers; and a battalion of fifty heavy artillery, Major Gary;
and in addition to these a number of sailors, naval officers, a large
amount of ammunition and naval stores for Admiral Dewey's fleet, and
supplies sufficient to last a year. It was expected that the fleet would
arrive at the Sandwich Islands by Tuesday, May 31st; it will proceed
from this port in company with the Charleston, and should arrive at
Manila about June 20th. A detachment of the United States Engineers
was ordered from Willets Point, N. Y., to the Philippines, under
command of Captain Langfitt; Captain Langfitt is an expert in the
matter of torpedoes and harbor defences of this kind, and it is thought
that his mission at the Philippines will be to fortify the different harbors
by planting mines, torpedoes, etc.
Now that the reinforcements are well on their way, there is no reason to
feel any anxiety in reference to any expedition which might be sent
from Spain. The shortest route from Cadiz is, of course, by way of the
Suez Canal; the distance