The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-25
Spain HAS A new Cabinet.
Conservative Miaistry Is Formed at
Last by Senor Canoyas.
ANARCHY NARROWLY AVERTED
Ono Strong Man Alone Stood Between
the Throne and Wholesale RcyoIu.
tion-Thc Spanish Army Is
Rotten to the Core.

New York, March 2i.-A special cable
| dispatch to the Sun, from Madrid,
says: Secretary Gresham will proba-
bly, be disappointed If he expects that
the Spanish government will give calm,
logical consideration to the questions at
issue with the United States at the
present moment. Few people realize
how near spain has been to revoh-
tion or anarchy, or both combined,
although the tension is relieved by
the formation of a Conservative minis
try under Senor Canovas. The country
would now be ablaze from end to end
but for the unselllsh patriotism and
bravery of one man, when, after the
resignation of Premier Sagasta's $ minis
try. following upon the demonstrations
by the army officers, Marshal Martinez
Campos took command of the Madrid
military district. A coup d'etat had
been practically accomplished, and the
military We're masters of the country,
and had they had another day they
would have possessed themselves off,
cially of the reinS of government in
Madrid. In every garrison throughout
Spain every general and colonel had
openly approved the outrageous con-
duct of the mutinous subalterms, and
the colonies of the gendarmerie, upon
whom the government would have had
to rely to suppress the military revolt,
had expressed sympathy in similar in
subordinate fashion. Only one re-
source remained to the government,
viz, to place sergeants at the head
of the troops and order them to arrest
their officers; but neither the civilian
prime minister nor the military minis
ter of war had the courage to do that,
because they remembered that, not
many years ago, the sergeants them
selves We're in a state Of mutiny.
Campos to the Rescue.
1t was at this critical juncture that
Marshal Campos called upon Premier
Sagasta and asked to be appointed in
command of the troops and Captain
General of Madrid. Senior Sagasta
eagerly urged the old soldier to take the
premiership, but the Marchal answer
ed, II come as a soldier, not as politi-
clan. 1t is q soldiers task which |
have to perform" When the news
spread that Marshal Campos was in
command the situation changed as if
by magic The officers knew he was u
man who would shoot at painfully
short notice, the first man who dared to
disobey his orders or even to hesitate
to obey, and that he had only to call
upon the rank and file to insure their
absolute obedience to his commands.
The marshal's first step was to order
all the generals and colonels to assem-
BILE at staff quarters, and then he had
them in his room one at a time and
made to each this little speech:
II hold you responsible that your
officers do nothing that may compel me
to commence to shoot
That was late on Sunday evening.
At p. IN. on that day a deputation of
seven lieutenants had dared to call
upon the prime minister and dictate to
the assembled ministers the terms upon
which the army would graciously per-
NIT the Kings government to be car
ried on. Among these conditions were
the abrogation OF the laws guarantee
ing the liberty of the press. Three hours
later Marshal Martinez Campos ordered
every officer to proceed to his quarters
in the barracks and not leave them
without q written pass, and all obeyed,
including the seven cabinet dictators.
The danger is over for the present, but
the incident has served to remind the
world of the fact that the Spanish army
is rotten to the core, and may be used
against the constitutional liberties of
the people at any moment, for it will
likely be long time before another
brave soldier pure and patriotic like
Martinez Campos, will come to the
front of public affairs in Spain.
Maruaga Is Set Right.
Washington, March 2i.--In regard to
statements made that Secretary
Gresham has declined to have any fur
ther dealings with Minister Muruaga,
1t is pointed out that the minister has
not had, from the first, any cOmmunica-
tion with the state department regard
ing the Allianca affair, inasmuch as the
correspondence upon that subject has
passed directly between Secretary
Gresham and the American minister at
Madrid, Mr.. Taylor. 1t is known, how
ever, that on Wednesday last the min
lister had a note from Secretary
Gresham with respect to other matters
within his jurisdiction, and this fact is
cited to show that his relations with
the administration continues friendly.