The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-28
Tho Curious Solution Of tho Spanish
Crisis.

1t used to be said in the latter years OF
Lord PALMERsToN's life that he kept HIM
self in office by virtue Of tacit agreement
with Lord DERBY. the understanding being
that the Liberal Prime Minister should re-
celve Conservative support whenever the
demands Of the Radicals grew too impor-
tunate. Ever since the accession Of the
infant King ALrHoNso Kill, there have
been signs Of q like secret cooperation be-
tween SciIor CANovAs DEL CASTILLO. the
head OF the Spanish Conservatives, and
6enor SAGAsTA. the veteran chief OF the
Liberal party. Immediately after the death
OF ALpHoNso XII. Seflor CANovAs advised
the Queen Regent that the stability OF the
throne would be promoted by Liberal
Ministry. and accordingly CHRISTINA sent
for Sefior SAaAsTA. The latter, on his part,
when the post OF Premier had become un-
tenable. gave way to CANovAs. who. being
obliged to resign the other day In conse-
quence Of split in his own party. once
more counselled the Regent to make
SAaAsTA her principal adviser. although
the Liberals constitute but small minority
Of the present Cortes. The existence Of
bargain between the two statesmen was
more fully disclosed by the announcement
made by CANovAs that he and such Con-
servatlves as still adhered to him intended
to render SAoAsTA all the assistance In
their power.
1t follows that the friends of good gov
eminent in Spain have nothing to hope for
from the change OF Ministers until the COM
position OF the Cortes has been radically
altered by new general election. On tho
previous occasion. when SAGAsTA was
Prime Minister, he had u large majority OF
Liberals behind him. and the people had a
right to expect the fulfilmcnt OF his prom
ises. He had pledged himself to greatly
extend the parliamentary franchise so as
to mako it almost equivalent to universal
suffrage. and also to relieve the army from
the incubus OF scores OF supcrnumerary
Marshals and Generals. One OF the promises
he kept; no did materially widen the suf-
fragc. though the next general election
showed that tho enlarged constituencies
were no less amcnabe than tho smaller
ones had been to bribery and coercion. for
the Conservatives returned an immense
majority to the new Cortes. Tho other
promise. that OF relieving tho military
chests from tho drain resulting from tho
pay of supcllluous officers OF high grades. he
violated. although several Ministers of War
had conscicntously endeavored to carry
out the retrcnchment in question. All hope
OF military reform was. OF course, aban-
doned when CANovAs took office. and there
seems TO DO now as little ground for it MS
ever. seeing that SAdAsrA is dependent on
Conservative support.
SAGAsTA has declared that his policy will
be ono of strict economy, and that no will
vigorously prosecute the embezzlers OF
public money. Owing to the circumstances
under which no assumed office. but little
confidence can DO placed Ia such assurances.
The defeat OF CANovAs was due to revolt
OF honest Conservatives against that Sec
ton of their party which. even II not cor
rupt itself. was disposed to shield evil
doors. A state OF things had been exposed
In connection with the municipal govern
ment OF Madrid which. as regards the
scale Oh which the city had been plundered.
may be compared with the transactions OF
TWEED and his accomplices In New YORK.
Not only had the municipal bonded
debt been greatly increased for i'm
proper purposes. but the floating debt.
Of which NO record had been pub
lished. had attained startling dimen-
sions. When the facts leaked out the
Mayor Of Madrid resigned. but public
opinion held the Conservative Primo Min
lister responsible for the appointment OF
the dishonest official. and it was member
OF the Conservative party who moved in
the Cortes vote OF want OF confidence.
It was suggestive OF a secret understand
ing between CANovAs and SAGAsTA that in
the division on that motion the Liberals
abstained from voting. and thus left the
Conservatives to fight it out among
themselves. The vote OF want OF con-
ddence was passed. nevertheless. by
n ANAL majority, and CASoyAs was