22? THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

They represented the newesttype of the fighting ship, a class in which the American navy was notoriously deficient, and, small as they were, each of these long, low steel boats that rushed through the blue water at racing speed might with one well-directed blow sink or disable the most powerful battleship. On the morning of the departure there hadbeen a striking scene in one of the historic churches of Cadiz. The crews of the torpedo squadron were assembled before the altar, and Captain Villamil addressed them briefly, telling them they were bound on what might be a perilous mission, and saying that he wanted none with him except those w-ho President's Message communicating the report of the Court of Enquiry on theMaine was laid before Congress on Monday, March 28th. It was expected that it would end with an outspoken demandfor the liberationof Cuba as the only possible reparation, and that perhaps there would be a direct threat of immediate hostilities unless prompt amends were made. But the war party in Congress were doomed to disappointment, for after calmly reciting the facts of the case and the findings of the Court, the President brought his Message to a close by simply saying :— "Ihave directed that she findings of the Court and the views of this Government thereon shall be communicated to the Government of her Majestyr the Queen Regent, and I do not permit myself to doubt that the sense of justice of the Spanishnation will dictate the course of action suggested by honour andby the friendly- relations of the two Governments. It will be the duty of the Executive to advise Congress on the result. In the meantime deliberate considerationis invoked."

It was understood that as soon as Spain had replied the President would send a were ready to sacrifice their lives without hesitation at the call of duty. If any man feared he might be found wanting, or had ties that made him cling to life, lethim now withdraw,while he coulddo so with honour, and serve the country in some less perilous post. As might be expected, no one drew back from such an appeal, and then Villamil knelt and,prayed that he and his men might be given strength to layr down their livesunflinchingly for Spain.

The UnitedStatesreplied to the despatch of the torpedo flotilla by ordering the GENERAL lormanon ot a nyingsquadron" ot swift cruisers at Hampton Roads. Thus on both sides of the Atlantic two brave peoples were preparing for a deadly struggle; while in Spain Oueen Christina,and in America President McKinley, were risking their own personal popularity in their efforts to hold in check the rising cry for war. The more active adherents of Cuba made an attempt to force the President's hand in the Senate, and Senator Thurston delivered an impassioned appeal for immediate action,denouncing the Spanish Government as the bloodstained destroyer of Cuba, and declaring that all its history in the Spanish colonies had been a story of oppression and bloodshed;but except in its influence on popular opinion the speech had no immediate effect, the majority in Congress being pledged to take no action till it had received the President's report on the Maine disaster.

Delayed till the last possible moment, the further message on the whole Cuban question. Meanwhile,it was announced tht Senor Polo de Bernabe had asked thePresident not to take any action as to Cuba for a few days,assuring him that in the meantime the Spanish Government would make further concessions which would improve the condition of affairs in the island. The friends of peace were hopeful;the advocates of war began to denounce Mr. McKinley in unmeasured language. He was trafficking with the honour of the country, they said,and wasmoved neither by the cold-blooded murder of American citizens,nor by the war of extermination waged at the very doors of the United States by Spain.

This feeling found expression in the debates in Congress on the Message. Senator Foraker, o. Ohio,introduced a resolution calling for the recognition of Cuban Independence; and while the crowdedgalleries applauded,Senator Mason made a strong war speech. Would Government,