The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-01

>oi''S NoiiNiiScu tiltt IL Is Impossible 10
rc-unite the Conservatives in order to
form strong ministry. Therefore she
has accepted the resiguat tions OF the min
listers.
The opinion is general that Senor Sa-
Easta. the Liberal leader, will succeed
General Azcarraga
Many of the projects, under secreta-
ries and directors general of the depart
mcnts have also resigned.
AMERICAN OFFICIAL OPINION.
Washington, Sept. 30.-Nfinister Wood
ford, up 10 the hour of closing the de-
parUment, today had not Informed the
State Department of the Spanish cabi-
net crisis. Tho main point Of interest
here at present Is the composition Of the
new cabinet, and 1t is expected that. Mr..
Woodford will not neglect to obtain and
cable to his government the earliest In
formation possible on that point. In
administration circles to-day, opinions
are fairly divided as to the outcome,
whether the new cabinet will be Lib
eral or Conservative, and that Ia the
matter OF gravest Importance to our
government, rs influencing the line OF
policy to be followed as to Cuba, there
Is n strong desire to obtain information
as to the prospects.
The President had scarcely reached
the White House this morning before
Secretary Sherman called to see him.
He was closely followed by Assistant
Secretary Day, and although it Is un-
dcrstood that the latter's visit had
largely to do with State Department
appointments, it Is not doubted that
there was 4 discussion OF the last Ma
drid developments.
In the absence of the Spanish minis
ter, Mr.. DuBoise is the senior official
here, but he had not called at the State
Department and has not, so far as can
be learned, received official advices
from Madrid. Diplomats familiar with.
Spanish affairs. say the conditions point
to one of two results, namely, the com
pletc collapse Of the Conservative re-
Sime, which has been responsible for
the Cuban policy. and It's succession by
Liberal cabinet with pacific and con-
cillatory tendencies toward Cuba, or else
transition ministry with AZcarraga
again at the head as 4 temporary eXpe-
dient to tide over affairs until the cortes
can meet and IL permanent and stable
ministry be formed.
Officials belivc that n complete change
of ministry and political parties, with
SaSasta as the new leader, is the more
probable. In that case. ii is said, Senior
Aioret probably would become minister
of foreign affairs. Moret Is best re-
membcrcd in the United States from the
fact that he was the first to recognize
the Mora claim. presented by the United
States. II made him Il target for criti-
cism in Spain, but he was ultimately
justified by his political opponents when
they paid the claim after the energetic
demands made by Secretary Olncy. The
name of Senor Gamazo has been men
toned in The Madrid cables as likely to
tasn q M tn,
cabinet, but this is believed to be er-
roHcous, as Gamazo has never been
prominent In State affairs, but is noted
as n financicr and was a financial min
ister In n former Liberal ca binet He
has n strong following, and it is be-
l!cved by officials that he would take
the treasury portfolio In a Liberal cab
met.
1t is stated with positivencss that
American affairs did not bring on the
crisis, but that it was due entirely to
internal politics. of which the excom-
municat!On Of Senor Navarro Revertcr,
Minister Of Finance in the fallen Cabf-
net. formed q part. This fact has been
briefly mentioned in the cable dis
patches. but the circumstances Of the
communication are more fully ex-
planned here. II appears that the Min
lister of Finance insisted that the church
pay taxes as other property. This was
opposed by the Bishop, who claimed a
church exemption. The Minister there
upon resorted 10 the usual legal pro-
cedurc of levying on the church prop
erty for default in tax payments. The
bishop responded by n decree Of eX-
communication against the Minister of
FinGncc. The latter appealed to the
Metropolitan of the See, who ruled
against the Bishop. The latter was in
Sstent on his preroSatves, CLAIMING
that Bishop was supreme in matters
aHecting an accommodation. The
case has now been appealed to Rome
for final determination. In the mean
time the accommodation of the Min
istcr stands Snd TO some extent has It's
influence against tho entire Cabinet,
owing TO the strong church sentiment in
Spain and the official union between
church and State. IT Is doubted that
the Queen Regent would be guided in
such question affecting the Cabinet
by the wishes OF Rome.
The feeling that SaGasta Is TO be the
coming Premier, either al once or after
The transition Ministry retires leads to
many favorable continents on his ability
by those who know him personally. 4
leading American dipiomat-one who
has been conspicuous in Spanish &mcri-
can affarS--Said to-day that Sagasta's
assumption of office undoubtedly would
have an important and beneficial effect
on the Cuban question and the relations
bctween the United States and Spain.
n n net n "a. 70