The times., 1897-08-09

any other statesman, he had the authority
and the power to impose his will upon those
VINO Systematically opposed any measure
winch might directly or indirectly tend to
reiieye the colonies from political and
economic oppression by the mother country.
Cantvas proposed in 1866 10 establish
refortiis III the Antilles, and TO that effect
he convoked what was called the junta de
Information, which met at Madrid from
1866 to 1857. The Cuban delegates to che
juiita expressed the gravity of the situa-
ton and urged the adoption of certain
reforms Their advice was totally ig-
nored and the result was the Cuban revo-
lutirn o. 1868
lt mas not been definitely determined
whether or not CanoYas W dis always faith
full to Queen Isabella He was accused
OF eonspiring with those who wished to
place the Duke De Montpensier upon the
Spanish throne. The scheme having failed,
Canovas went to p ans and became recon-
clled with Queen Isabella. He presided
over the edueatiYn OF young Don Alfonso,
then Prince of Asturias, and inspired him
with comparatively liberal ideas. He was
the soul or the movement which resulted
III the proclamation of Alfonso XII, as
King OF Spain, by Gen. Martinez Campos,
at sagunto, on December 81, 1874. Can
ovas then assumed power, and was con-
Iirmed In the premiership by the young
king, while still In Paris.
As the prime minister OF the restored
iionarchy, Canoyas deserted his conpara-
lively Liberal antecedents He abrogated
the law for civil marriage, restricted the
right or association, abolished the liberty
OF learning, deprived of their chairs at the
university such men as Salneron, CASTELAR,
and o.5ers, some OF W Iom were banished,
and consented TO the return OF the Jesuits
10 Spain The aoncordat OF 1851, with the
Holy See, was re-estabiished
With the exception OF an interval of a
Few months in S71, when Gen. JoveiIar
was called TO office, Canovas continued
holding the premiership until February,
1879, when, upon the return OF Gen.
Martinez Campos from Cuba, Canuvas
retired from office, to assume ii again
December 30, In that year, retaining il
until February, 1881 Within this tine
the Carlos war was ended, and the Cuban
insurrect,on was broaeht 10 a close. The
Catholic religion was declared tile national
religion, although the worship In private
OF other sects was tolerated, and so
neither the Catholics nor the followers
OF other religious We're satisfied.
In January, 1884, after the collapse of
the Posada Herrera cabinet, Canoyas WAS
again called to office, and he then showed
"A more marked tendency to Teacti0nary
measures.
lD the summer of SIS Canovas needed
to exercise all his authority to prevent
war with Germany, as a result of the
seizure OF the Islands of Ponape and Yap,
Off the Caroline archipelago, by two
German men-ofwar In the dercnse Of
the interests Of Spain Canovas drew up
a memoranda on her rights in the Caroline
Islands, which was pronounced a marvel
OF erudition
In November, 1sS5, King Alfonso died,
and, fearing Il republican uprising Canoyas
mad secret meeting with Sagasta, at
the Parao, at which an understan nding
was reached between the rival leaders by
which. IN the interest they claimed, of
the monarchy, both agreed always to acC
in friendly manner toward each other,
and peieefuliy take turns in power, until
the kiag's successor reached his or her
ma ajority.
Canovas was in the opposition until June,
1890, when Sagasta resigned, and. faith
fui to Their agreement, advised thu Queen
70 CAB CaHoyas During this new term
OF Canovas' rule, the colonial problem ae-
quired its utmost gravity. The economic
agitation in Cuba became intense. Cuban
commissioners went to Madrid. but their
request for reforms. in the islands tariff
administration were unheeded
In December, 1892, Canoyas resigned.
During "a saSta 'ssucceeding adIninistra ton
CanoNas' opposition was tie cause OF ths
failure of the colonial reform projected by
Minister Maura, which, as is generally
known would have postpon ell, If it had not
completely ayarted the Cuban war Called
to effice again, and now for the last tirna.
In March, 1S95, shortly after the beginning 9
OF the war, his adu1inistra ton was an un.
interrupted. series OF contradictions which
hardly commend him as statesman.