The record-union., 1897-10-06
SPANS New Cabinet Proposes to
Start Them at Once.
Measures to be Adopted for the Application
Of Autonomy for Cuba.
The Government, Under the Lead
ership of Premier Sagasta, to
Garry Out It's Political and Mil
itary Programme With Firm
ness-GeneraI Wey1er Must Re-
sign, or He Will be Recalled.

MADRID, Oct. 5.-Senor Moret, the
Minister for the Colonies, it is semi
officially announced has decided to ap-
ply as soon as possible all the measures
which are comprised in the programme
OF the Liberals regarding the Antilles,
including all that is necessary for the
application Of autonomy for Cuba in
the form permitted by the circum-
stances.
It is reported here that the United
States Minister, General Woodford, left
at the Foreign Office yesterday an Off
cial note from Secretary Sherman. Pre-
mier Sagasta, in an interview, is quot
ed as saying that most important ques-
tions are before the Cabinet Ministers,
who have a thorough knowledge of the
financial position of Spain, and possess
accurate details of the war situation in
Cuba and in the Philippine Islands.
The Government, Senor Sagasta stat
ed, viii carry out its political and mill
tary programme with frmness and sa-
gacity.
When the Premier was questioned re-
garding the future of Captain-General
Weyler, he said he supposed Weyler
would resign, adding that if he did not
do so, he would be recalled. In con-
clusion, Senior Sagasta said that the
most prompt action would be taken in
the Philippine Islands, where the situ-
alton, he continued, admitted of no de-
lay
CABINET NOT A STRONG ONE.
NEW YORK, Oct. "a dispatch to
the World from Madrid says:
Premier Sagasta has been disappoint-
ed in his efforts to induce all the promi
nent statesmen of the Liberal party to
join his Cabinet in the present critical
circumstances. Therefore, he has had
to content himself with a Ministry
composed of respectable, but less infu-
eEtial personal friends.
An old feud between the right wing
and the Democrats in the Liberal party
prevented Senor Gomazo from accept
ing a proffered seat, and his brother-in-
law, Senior Maura, the author of the
first Cuban home-rule bill, is also ex-
cluded, chiefly through the influence of
the union constitutional Senators and
Deputies from Cuba, who belong to the
Liberal party in Spain.
The only strong men in the Cabinet
are Senor Puigoerver, the Minister of
Finance; Senor GadebOn, the Minister
of the Interior, and Senor Moret, the
Minister for the Colonies. The last
named accepted the Colonial Office with
a view to playing the chief part in re-
versing the policy of the late Govern
ment in regard to Cuba and the Philip
pine Islands. With his knowledge of
NJ 10,
in a position to assist the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Senor Gullon, who is
not so we'll acquainted with Spain's
foreign relations as is Senor Moret.
On the whole, the composition of the
new Cabinet has caused surprise and
disappointment, both to the general
public and to the Liberal party.
CASTELLANOS' FAREWELL
HAVANA, Oct. 5.-The retiring Min
lister for the Colonies, Senior Castel-
lanos, sent an official cable message
yesterday to Captain General Weyler,
notifying him of the formation of a
new Cabinet under the Presidency of
Senior Sagasta, and bidding farewell to
the Spanish authorities, clergy, army
and loyal inhabitants of Cuba He also
requested the authorities and all others
depending uponethe new Ministry to
continue at their posts and do every
thing possible to be of service to the
new Government of Spain.
CUBANS MORE HOPEFUL THAN
EVER.
NEW YORK. Oct. 5.-Thomas Es-
trada Palma, Chief of The Cuban Junta,
has lust received a letter from General
Gomez. commander-in-chief of the Gu
ban armies
s'Weyler's successor in Cuba writes
the General, in order to cope with the
rebellion at it's present standing, VIII
be obliged to demand 100000 troops and
S10O 600. 600 and even then he Will fail
as ignominiously as Weyler has failed.
"Our men were never imbued with a
more hopeful spirit than they are at
present. The campaign in Las Villas
has been an utter failure. The Spanish
soldiers avoided us at every possible
opportunity This served to encourage
our men. IF Weyler be recalled his
successor here, whoever he may be, will
be surprised to see the spirit Of victory
which animates the brave Cuban
troops. We cannot be subdued, and no
one knows this better than Weyler."
With the Gomez letter was one from
General Calixto Garcia, who commands
the troops in the eastern provinces. 1t
gave some particulars concerning the
capture OF Las Lunas on August Both
last.
The dynamite which was sent u.s."
writes General Garcia, played an i'm
portant part in the capture of Las
Lunas- Its destructive shells spread
terror through the Spanish troops. We
beseiged it for three days, when it
finally surrendered. We found many
of the troops in a terrible condition
At least 100 men fell victims to the
dynamite shells, a good many more be-
ing badly wounded. The rest of the 500
men were in an utterly demoralized
condition when the Spanish flag was
hauled down. Our losses numbered
sixty men All the sick and wounded
Spaniards We're sent to hospitals and
given every possible attention. The
prisoners were all released.
IF we had a few more dynamite
guns we should soon end the war. Re
ports of its destructive work here have