The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-25
SPAIN'S CRISIS IS SERIOUS.
A HITCH OVER THE COLLECTION OF
TANEs POSSIBLE.

DAssolNcu a New One Cannot he
Voted Until Long After That Time.
CanOvas' Former Reign as Pre-
mier an EventfuI One-Muruaga's
Course Uncertain.
Washington. March 2l-senor Don f.
de Muruaga. the minister Of Spain to the
United States. this morning received an
official notification from the Duke of
Tetuan, minister of foreign affairs, of the
formation Of new Spanish cabinet, as
announced in last nights dispatches.
The new ministry comes into power
with the experience of previous terms
in Office, as it is the same ministry, with
one exception, that served under Premier
Canovas before. and which went out Of
power twenty-eight months ago. The
one new member is Senor CasteIlanos,
minister for the colonies. Premier Can
ovas first resigned in 1873 on account Of
the Caroline Islands incident. 1t was
popularity believed at that time that
Prince Bismarck, the German chancellor.
intended taking possession of the Caro-
line islands, a Spanish possession in the
Pacific ocean, in connection with which
the United States subsequently had some
missionary trouble, which Spain salts
factorily adjusted after considerable de-
lay
Without waiting to ascertain the accu-
racy of the report about German ag-
gression, a Spanish mob attacked the
German legation in Madrid and tore
down its escutcheon and offered other
l fndfp~nfffaa av1.s ,,f,r
Spain into war with Germany. Premier
Canovas and his cabinet resigned, and
the affair was subsequently patched up.
His second resignation occurred twenty
eight months ago, when, on a question
of national policy he found his own party
in the COrtes divided, and resigned in
consequence, being succeeded by Premier
Sagasta, whom he has once more dis
placed.
If advices received here from sources
outside the Spanish legation are to be re-
| lied on, the change Of ministry at this
time is a serious matter for Spain. The
annual budget carrying the appropria-
tions for the expenditures Of the govern
ment has been continued in force for three
years, but expires with the last day Of
/ June next The new budget az the time
! the Sagasta ministry resigned was in pro-
/ cess of examination In the Spanish leg
/ islative body and had been partially voted
/ to continuance Of. last years budget
| through another year, a determination be-
/ ing expressed that a new budget should
/ be voted The probabilities seem to be
/ that Premier Canovas will ask for a royal
| decree disolving the chambers and or
| dering a new election. Should this be done
| the new chambers could not be convened
under the Spanish constitution till July
4 next, and the appropriations would all
lapse on the first of that month. During
the interim thus ensuing and until the
new chamber could pass the budget there
would be no authority to collect taxes,
except through the arbitrary and danger
GUS power of the council Of state, which
since the days of Charles the First of Eng
land has frequently been an incentive to
revolution.
AS to the course which Mr.. Muruaga,
the Spanish minister, will take in view
of this home crisis, some days delay will
probably occur before anything definite
IS decided upon. 1t is authorita lively
known that he has not resigned since the
formation of the new cabinet. and he will
wait until Tuesday or Wednesday of this
week and learn the wishes of Premier
CanOyas before committing himself.
Should the present ministry decide against
the attempt to suspend the constitution
and try the offending journalists by
court martial, it would be-personally more
easy for Minister Muruaga to remain.
Should the ministry request that ne re-
main at his post he would be compelled
to do so. A diplomat like a soldier has no
alternative but to obey orders, although
it is permissible IN the Spanish service
J for minister to ask to be relieved and
placed on waiting ORDERS" when he finds
himself not In sympathy with the party
IN power. The unsettled condition of
affairs in Cuba, with which Mr.. Muruaga
is thoroughly familiar, from his long SER
vice at this point. would make his resig-
nation serious embarrassment to the
Canovas cabinet unless a suitable sue
cessor could be Immediately found.
Under any circumstances it would be
several weeks at the earliest before his
successor could reach here from Europe
which Will. no doubt require Mr.. Mu-
ruaga TO remain here for that period at
least.
In regard to the statements made that
Secretary Gresham has declined TO have
any further dealing with Minister Muir
uaga, it is pointed out that the minister
has not had from the first, any commune
cation with the state department regard
ing the Aliianca affair, inasmuch as the
correspondence upon that subjece has
passed directly between Secretary Gres-
ham and the American minister at Mad
rid, Mr.. Taylor. II is known, however
that on Wednesday last. the minister had
note from Secretary Gresham with re-
spect to other matters within his jurisdic-
tion and this fact is cited to show that
his relations with the administration con-
tinue friendly.
The change of ministry in Spain Is likely
to affect more Immediately and forcibly
Gov-Gen. Calleja Of Cuba He will un-
doubtedly tender his resignation imme-
diately 10 the Canovas cabinet chiefly be-
cause Of the severe criticisms that have
been passed upon his administration OF
affairs IN Havana, IN debates in the Span
ish Cortes by Senior Romero Roblado
who now enters the new cabinet az minis
ter Of Justice Gov-Gen. Calleja, like Min
lister Muruaga, Is an advanced liberal and
free trader in politics, while the new min
istry (as has been stated Is reactionary
and protectionist.
Madrid. March 24-The cabinet IS not
yet in working trim, as several Of the new
ministers are abroad. All the under sec
retar3es and projects are offering their
designations. The Naclonal, seml-Official,
says the cabinet has been well received by
the public The ministers hope. IL adds,
that the deputies viii act with patriotism
10 regulating the financial conditions Of
The kingdom. and thus leave the govern
naent u8enbarrassed with it, dealings
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