New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-04
SPINS NEW GOVERN UENT.

The story of Senior Sagasta's return to the
Prime Ministershp of Spain begins with the
death of Canovas del Castillo. The Cuban and
Pennsular policy Of the latter had long been
distasteful TO many Conservatives, but they had
been kept within the party lines by the force OF
his mastcrfu leadership. When he was re-
moved by assassination. however. and was sue
ceeded by General Azcaraga. who persisted
literally in his policy. they openly revolted
under the leadership of Senior Svela. The lat
ter is a man Of great ability and integrity, who
has for half dozen years been seeking to re-
form and liberalze the Conservative party and
who has ambition to become its leader. But
General AZcarraga would listen to no proposals
for reform. and AT the same time realized the
imposslbility OF holding his place in the face Of
such opposition. He therefore told the Queen
Regent that he wished 10 resign. TO facilitate
his doing so she returned from San Sebastian
40 Madrid week ago to-day-a fortnight earlier
shan she had intended or than was her wont.
His resignation was mt once presented ana ac-
cepted. For moment Her Majesty Thought Of
asking either Senior Sllvela or Marshal Mar
tinez de Campos to take his place at the head or
reorganized Conservative and Clerical Min
,stry. with such men Senior Pidal, Marshal
Elanco and General Polavleja in it, and pro-
eramme of domestic reforms and concessions
10 Cuba Senior Silvela advised this. but wanted
Marshal Campos, and not himself TO bear the
brunt Of responsibility AS Prime Minister.
Marshal Campos declined, and advised the
Queen Regent to call SenOr Sagasta and turn
the Government over to the Liberals. she has
now done
Beyond question she has done wisely. There
is no ADLER nor more upright public man In
Spain to-day than Praxedes Sagasta. There is
none more fully commanding the confidence OF
sovereign and people. There Is not one who
seems more justly TO realize the serious state Of
Spanish affairs and the urgent need of such re-
forms as will set them to rights He sees that
the policy which he began and which Canovas
del Castillo maintained and intensified toward
Cuba. has proved tragic blunder, and must be
radically modified. He sees that there are ad-
mjnistratiye abuses at home which must be
abolished; that the finances Of the Kingdom are
In desperate straits. and that Car!sm. nightly
REINFORCED from Cave Of Adullam in every
province. Is more menacing than for many
years That this old man of seventy. seeing
and approaching these things, deliberately ac-
cepts the responsibility of dealing with them
speaks volumes for his courage. his patriotism
and his devotion. BE does not assume the task
with the jaunty confidence Of youth or with
the ambition Of one who has a reputation 10
make or yet with the baser motives Of one who
seeks sordid selfish gain He can be- suspected
OF no motives other than those Of purcst patriot
Ism and a willingness to sacrifice the whole
record and the closing years Of a long and hon.
orabie career upon the altar Of his country's
welfare.
What he will do. or can do, has already been
qeculated upon and can be regarded only with
speculation. This, however. is to be said, and
% be repeated that no more suspicious begin