The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-01
SPECULATION AS TO SPAIN.
OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON EX-
PECT A LIBERAL, CABINET.

bly, Bc PrcmicT-A Liberal Policy
Towards Cuba win De Instituted.
senior MOrct of the Mora Claim
Fame VIII Probably BE Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
Washington. Sept. 3O--Minister Wood
ford. up to the hour Of closing the depart
ment to-day, had not informed the state
department of the Spanish cabinet crisis.
The main point of interest here, at pres
ent, is the composition of the new cabi-
net, and 1t is expected that Mr. Woodford
will not neglect to obtain and cable to
his government the earliest information
possible on that point. In administration
circles to-day opinions are fairly divided
as TO the outcome, whether the new cab-
net will be liberal or conservative, and as
that is the matter of gravest importance
10 our government as influencing the line
of policy to be followed as to cuba, there
is a strong desire to obtain Information
as to the prospects.
The President had scarcely reached the
white house this morning before Secretary
Sherman called to see him. He was close
ly followed by Assistant Secretary Day,
and, although II is understood that the
latters visit had largely 10 do with state
department appointments, 1t is not doubt
ed that there was discussion of the last
Madrid developments.
In the absence of the Spanish minister,
MIR. DuBose is the senior official here,
but he has not called at the state depart
ment and has not, so far as can be learned,
received official advices from Madrid.
Diplomats familiar with Spanish affairs
say the conditions point to one of two
results, namely, the complete collapse of
the conservative regime, which has been
responsible for the Cuban policy, and its
succession by a liberal cabinet, with pa
cihc and conciliatory tendencies toward
Cuba, or else a transition ministry, with
Azcarraga again at the head as a tempo
rary expedient to tide over affairs until
The Cortes can meet and permanent and
tlabe ministry be formed.
The officials believe that a complete
change of ministry and political parties,
with Sagasta as the new leader is the
more probable. In that case, it is said
6enor Moret probably would become min
ster of foreign affairs. Moret is best re-
membered in the United States from the
fact that he was the first to recognize the
Nora claim, presented by the United
States. It made him target for criticism
In SPAIN but he was ultimately justified
by his political opponents when they paid
the claim after the energetic demands
made by Secretary Olney.
The name Of Senor Gamazo has been
mentioned in the Madrid cables as likely
20 take the foreign portfolio In a Sagasta
cabinet, but this Is believed to be errone-
Gus, as GamaZo has never been prominent
in state affairs, but is noted as a finan-
cier, and was financial minister in
former liberal cabinet. He has a strong
following, and 1t is believed by officials
that he would take the treasury portfolio
in a liberal cabinet.
1t Is stated with positiveness that
American affairs did not bring on the
crisis, but that ii was due entirely to in
ternal politics, of which the ex-communi-
cation of Senior Navarro ReVerter, minis
ter of finance in the fallen cabinet, form
ed a part This fact has been briefly
mentioned in the cable dispatches, but the
circumstances of the accommodation
are more fully explained here.
1t appears that the minister of finance
insisted that the church property in an
interior diocese should pay taxes as other
property This was opposed by the bish-
op, who claimed a church exemption. The
minister thereupon resorted to the usual
legal procedure OF levying on the church
property for default in tax payments
The bishop responded by a decree of ex-
communicating against the minister Of
finance. The latter appealed to the Metro
poitan of the See, who ruled against the
bishop. The latter was insistantly on his
prerogatives, claiming that a bishop was
supreme in matters affecting an ex-com-
munication. The case has now been APP
pealed to Rome for final determination. In
the meantime the accommodation OF
the minister stands, and to some extent,
has its influence against the entire cabi-
net, owing to the strong church sentiment
in Spain, and the official union between
church and state. 1t is not doubted that
the queen regent would he guided in such
a question affecting the cabinet by the
wishes Of Rome.
The feeling that Sagasta is to be the
coming premier either at once, or after
the transition ministry retires, leads TO
many favorable comments on his ability
by those who know him personally. A
leading American diplomat-one who has
been conspicuous in Spanish-American af-
fairs-said to-day that Sagasta's assump-
tion Of office undoubtedly would have an
important and beneficial effect on the Gu
ban question and the relations between
the United States and Spain. Sagasta Is
now past 20, but still retains the vigor
that made him natural leader of the
liberals in earlier days. OF all the Span
ish statesmen, he is regarded as the one
most friendly to this country.
Those conYersant with the Spanish sys
tenn say the crisis is not likely to continue
beyond five or six days, as Spain cannot
afford to be without a cabinet for any
great length Of time at this juncture. The
summoning Of Sagasta 10 Madrid VIII not
II is said, show positively that he is to
form a cabinet The procedure is for the
queen regent to summon the leaders of
all elements, to the number of 100 or more
not TO get their political views, but to
learn from them the state of public opin-
ion. From these consultations the queen
is enabled to determine what form of MIN
istry and what leaders will be most ac-
ceptable TO the people Her summoning
of a leader to form a cabinet is also
conditional, and it remains for him 10
learn, after comforting with his party as
socates whether he can present min
istry acceptable to the crown and cap
able of commanding public support. For
the present, the crisis has had the effect
OF postponing action on questions between
the United States and Spain, as nothing
can be done by either country until a
permanent ministry Is formed.
impossible to Unite Conservatives.
Madrid, Sept. 3O.-As a result of the in
IT. IL.