The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
United States Is Not Likely to Press
Settlement of the War Until the
New Ministry shows Its Hand.
M'KINLEY IS NOT A JINGO
AND WOULD PREFER THAT SPAIN
ARRANGE TERMS wITH ~UBANs.
Little Doubt that SaEasta, the Liberal
Leader, VIII Be Premier and THAI
WeyIer VIII ae Recalled.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.--Instead OF hur-
rying the Cuban war to a conclusion or
bringing American participation to crisis,
the Cabinet change at Madrid may result
in a delay of the settlement of that ques-
ton. The new Ministry will make no open
change in the attitude of the Spanish gov
ernment towards the United States and any
Ministry that might assume the reins would
fall which would tolerate for an instant
any policy looking to the surrender of the
island under any conditions. Spain is q unit
in its determination to retain possession Of
Cuba until driven out by force. There has
never been any substantial foundation to
the talk about the sale of Cuba to the
United States. or to any nation or combina-
ton of nations and the idea is intolerabie
to the Spanish people. Any Ministry which
would wink at the proposal would be
thrown out of office. In that respect Sagas-
ta is as firm as his predecessor, Canovas.
The situation, however, is lightened up
somewhat by the fact that Sagasta is more
liberal than Canovas was in his feelings
towards Cuba Canovas and his represen-
tative Captain General Weyler, were for
crushing out the rebellion in Cuba with a
merciless disregard of life and property.
Sagasta has always been in favor of a more
humane treatment of the Cubans, and the
withdrawal of the inhuman tyrant who has
had the conduct of the war for the sup-
preston of the rebellion will be the inevita-
bile result of the formation of the new Min
istry This act will soften the temper OF
the Cubans and will make it more possible
for the Spanish government to treat with
the insurgents.
So far as the immediate consequences OF
the crisis are concerned, it may be assumed
that President Mckinley will not press the
demand of this government for settlement
of the Cuban question until the new Min-
istry is firmly in the saddle and has had
time to shape a policy. This may mean q
recess in the negotiations of thirty or sixty
days, or such period as may be necessary
for the full development of the new Spanish
programme. 1t is possible that matters
may so shape themselves that direct inter-
ference by this government may be avoided,
If such be the case the administration will
be greatly pleased, as it is the Presidents
earnest desire that there be no hostilities
between the United States and Spain We
are just entering on an era of great pros
perity and a war might seriously interrupt
the progress at this time. The business
world would hail with infinite satisfaction
Cuba and Spain on terms arranged between
the parties directly concerned, this governs
ment to assume no part in the matter be-
yond that, perhaps, of friendly mediation.
which would leave no sting behind and n-
vite no trouble.
The feeling that Sagasta is to be the
coming premier of Spain, either at once
or after the transition minister 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-
ton of office undoubtedly would have an
important and beneficial effect on the Cu-
ban question and the relations between the
United States and Spain. Sagasta Is now
past seventy. but still retains the vigor that
made him national leader of the Liberals
in earlier days OF all the Spanish
statesmen he is regarded as the one most
friendly TO this country. Those conversant
with the Spanish system say the crisis is
not likely to continue beyond five or six
days, as Spain cannot afford to be without
Cabinet for any great length of time at
this juncture The summoning of Sagasta
to Madrid will not, it is said, show posi-
lively that he is to form a Cabinet. The
procedure is for the Queen Regent to sum-
number of one hundred more, not to
get their political views, but to learn from
them the state of public opinion. From
these consultations the Queen IS enabled
to determine what form of Ministry and
what leaders will be most acceptable to the
people. Her summoning Of leader to form
a. Cabinet Is also conditional, and 10 re-
mains for him TO learn, after comforting
with his party associates, whether he can
present a Ministry acceptable to the crown
and capable of commanding public support.
In administration circles to-day opinions
are fairly divided as TO the outcome, wheth-
er the new Cabinet will be Liberal or Con-
servatiye, and as that is the matter or
greatest Importance TO our government, as
influencing the line of policy 70 be followed
as to Cuba, there is a strong eesire to OBJ
tain information as to the prospects. The
President had scarcely reached the White
House this morning before Secretary Sher-
NAL called to see him. he was closely fol-
lowed by Assistant Secretary Day, and, all
though it is understood that the latters
visit had largely to do with State Departs
ment appointments, IL is not doubted
that there was discussion of the last Mad-
rid developments.
lean affairs did not bring on the crisis
but that it was due entirely TO Inter-
nal politics. of which the accommodation
of Senior Navarro Reyerter minister OF
finance in the fallen Cabinet formed part.
This fact has been briefly mentioned in
the cable dispatches, but the circumstances
of the accommodation are more fully ex-
planned here. 1t appears that the minister
of finance insisted that the church property
as other property. This was opposed by the
bishop. who claimed a church exemption.
The minister thereupon resorted to the
usual legal procedure of levying on the
church property for default In tax paw
ments The bishop responded by q decree
of accommodation against the minister OF
finance. The latter appealed 10 the metros
politan of the See who ruled against the
bishop. The latter was insistent on his pre-
negatives, claiming that a bishop was SUI
preme in matters affecting an exconfmunf-
cation. Meantime, the accommodation OF
the minister stands, and TO some extent has
its influence against the entire Cabinet ow-
ing TO the strong church sentiment in Spain
and the official union between church and
state II is not doubted that the Queen
Regent would be guided in such "A question