Why was 1898 seen by Spaniards as such a disaster?

by Aint-got-a-Kalou-2

My knowledge of the topic is exceptionally basic. I understand the de Lome letter was a major factor in starting hostilities in Cuba, and the Treaty of Paris essentially signified the end to Spanish colonial ambitions in much of the World. However I am struggling to find any information regarding how this year was viewed in Spain by the ordinary member of Spanish nobility? Any sources both primary and Secondary would be massively helpful :)

Thank you !

TywinDeVillena

If you are interested in primary sources and are fluent in Spanish, I recommend you have a go at the Hemeroteca Digital, a portal by the National Library of Spain containing thousands upon thousands of publications, and with a very refined search mechanism.

http://hemerotecadigital.bne.es/index.vm

I cannot quite go much further in the matters of the impact of the Disaster of 1898 in the Spanish public opinion, as it is not my area of interest, but I hope this trove of newspapers will help if you refine the search by dates and try finding articles about Cuba and Filipinas.