The age-herald., 1897-10-01
WHERE IS WOODFORD z
He Remains Silent as to Affairs in Spain Some
 Comments.

Washington, Sept. 3O.-Minigeer Wood ford, up to the hour of closing the de- pals;ment to-day, had not informed the state department of '.he Spanish cahnet crisis. The main point of interest hene is the composition of the new cabinet, and it is expected that Minister Wood ford will not neglect to obtain and cable to hts government the earEest info. ma lion possible on that poins. In admin ilsraticm circles today opinions are fairly divided as to ths outcome, whether the new cabinet will be Mbeaal or conserva- tive, and aus tha. ts the matser of gravest Importance ito our government as dn- fuencing the line of policy to be followed as to Cuba, there is strong desire to obi, ain information as to prospec.s. The president had scarcely neached the White House this morning before Sec re.ary Sherman called to see him. He Secretary Day, and although t is under stood t'hai the latter's visit had largely to do with state department appoint rnents, it is net doubted thai. there was a discussion of the last Madrad develop men g.
 In the absence of tha Spanish minister, MT. DuBose is the senior official here, but he has not called at the state de- partment and has not, as 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 com- plete collapse of the conservative regime which has been responsible for the Cuban policy and its succession by liberal cabinet with pacific and conclla- tory tendencies towards Cuba or else a transition ministry with Nicaragua again at tfs head as temporary exped- ient to tide over affairs until the cortes can meet and a permanent and stable ministry be formed. Officials believe that a complete change of ministry and political parties with Sagasta as the nsw leader is the mO-e probable. In that case it is said Senor Moret proba- ply would become minister of foreign affairs.
 Morst 1s beslo remembered in the United States from the fact that he was the first to recognize the Mora claim presented by the United States. It made him targa. for criticism in Spain, but he was ultimately justified by his politi- cal opponents when they paid the claim after the en:f,getic demands made by Secretary Olney. The name of Senor Gamazo has been mentioned In the Mad rid cables as likely to take the foreign portfolio in a Ssgasta cabindt, but this is believed to be erroneous as Gamazo has never been prominent in state af- fairs, but is noted as financier, and was financial minister in a former lib- eral cabinet. He has strong following and it is believed by officials that he would take the treasury portfolio in a 1iberal cabinet.
 It Is stated with positiveness that American affairs did not bring on the crisis. but that 1t was due entirely to internal politics, in which the excom- munication of Senor Navarro Reverter minister of finance in the fallen cabinet, formed part. This fact has been briefly mentioned in the cable dispatch es, but the circumstances of the excom- munication are more fully explained here It appears that the minister of ] finance insisted that the church prop erty in an interior, diocease should pay taxes. the same as other property. This ! was opposed by the bishop. who claimed the church exemption. The minister the-eupon resorted to the usual isgal
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