The statistical mechanics of finite $L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L$ Ising square lattices in a field $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}h$ of random sign is investigated numerically by a modified recursive transfer matrix method for
6< L< 16. Our results are consistent with the absence of a spontaneous magnetization for $h\ensuremath{\ne}0$ even in the ground state. The singularities occurring at
T=0 in the range
0< h< 4J,
J being the exchange constant, are discussed in terms of a cluster expansion. For nonzero
T, less than the critical temperature of the pure two-dimensional Ising model, and
h sufficiently small, the system exhibits a nonzero spin-glass order parameter of the Mattis type although there is no magnetization. The ferromagnetic correlation function becomes long ranged for $h\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ and is calculated from the domain-wall density.