The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-30

"ultimatum." At the same time these Off
cals take the view that the United States
has taken an advanced position, although
not one involving any present critical Is
sue.
In commenting on the situation diplo-
mat from ono OF the countries forming the
triple alliance said that the reports OF
Austria's attitude was OF interest owing
to Austria being member OF the drei-
bund OF Germany, Italy and Austria but
added that II was generally understood the
alliance applied only to continental ques-
lions and TO be mutually defensive rather
than offensive. For this reason he did not
believe II would apply II Austria became
the ally OF Spain as that would be vnlun-
tary action Of Austria In behalf OF Spain
| and not In defense OF the integrity Of ts
territory.
News Of the spanish cabinet crisis was
first brought TO the attention OF the officials
For the stnie departn,eut*u Slipte'natiG
officials through the Associated Press bull
letIn from Madrid aud up TO late hour
tonight from no other source was any in
formation on the subject Forthcoming. II
is surmlsed that Minister Woodfords fall
ure TO cable the resignation is attributable
to the fact that II was after nightfail when
the news became known. II can not be
said that the event caused surprise among
| the officials OF The state department or
| corps in Washington. A careful inspection
OF the cable news for the past few weeks
had left the general impression that tho
| cabinet erected In haste after the assassl-
| nation of Premier Canoyas could not be
| expected to survive long. There were sew
| oral reasons for this expectation. but per-
| baps the principal one was the belief that
! the dissensions among the supporters OF
| the government, caused by the personal
| encounter between the Duke OF Tetuan,
| the minister for foreign affairs, aud one
| OF the leaders OF the dissideit consery-
| atives. had not been held. but had only
been bridged over temporarily. The dis
sident conservatives al the time Insisted
| upon the resignation Of the duke as con-
diton OF their further support OF the gov
| eminent. AS the government dcpesUed, not
upon homogeneous party but rather on
| a union Of various eleissnts generally OPP
| posed to liberal ideas for Its existence this
was threatening condition and a crisis
was averted only through strenuous ef-
| forts OF conservative leaders
| AS to what Is TO follow the resignation
| OF the cabinet, officials here are completely
| in the dark. Secretary sherman did not
| believe 1t would materially affect the re-
| lations OF Spain, either 10 the United States
or to Cuba, which seems TO indicate an ex-
| pectation on his part that when the cabinet
| Is reorganized 1t would be found 20 he
T.
other hand, high officials In the admins
tration expect liberal cabinet under !he
| leadership OF the veteran Segasta VIII be
| erected on the ruins OF the Azcarfaga cab
met II this should be the case the future
! Is held TO be full OF promise Tor Cuba. for
| IL is recalled the liberals haze not heal
| lated to express their opposition TO the
great expenditure OF human life and vast
treasure in the effort to carry out the re-
pressiye conservative programme for the
| conduct OF the war.
II is not believed the liberals are ire
| rared TO go TO the length OF promisinR
| freedom to Cuba, but from the expressions
OF leaders OF the party II Is hoped they are
| willing to grant so liberal measure oil
home rule and autonomy TO the island thai
of Spanish sovereignty nothing would re-
main save shred in the way OF a few
| preferential duties, and perhaps the ap
pointing OF some officials corresponding L
the governor general OF Canada, named b.
the British crown. An incident in the fe
lection of a liberal cabinet win be the req
toration Of Martinez Campos to The posi-
ton where he would be in a position Il
carry out the programme OF the refcllne'
government in its Cuban policy.
Among diplomatic officials the reslgna
ton OF the Spanish cabiret excited tn
keenest interest and was the chief top'
throughout the evening. The Spanish min
ister left at O'Clock for Lennox, about a
, hour before the first word OF the reslgna
lion had been received. He had felt up I
the time OF departure that there was n
Indication OF important Developments a
Madrid, and he would have RENAME
had he anticipated the impending crisi'
All official adviees are being forwarded di
rect TO Lennox.
The min lstry, II was explained by diplo
raatic officials entirely familiar With III
| facts "a ronserxative fhrough1u II VIZ