The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-16

is aware, was recalled from Havana for his
lack of severity toward the reyolutionists.
and for his common sense recognition OF
me fact that the demands of the Cubans
Tor reforms were justified.
captain General Blanco is a soldier Of the
same type and of the same way of think
ing as Martinez Campos. He was. in con-
sequence thereof, superseded in the Phil
ippine islands, and Captain General Pola-
VieJa was sent out to take his place. Cano-
vas and the Tory machine hoped by this
means to kill two birds with one stone.
For Polavieja, as chief of the military
household to the Queen Regent and King,
and as bosom friend of Silvelas, was
thorn In the side of the Cabinet which be-
lieved that he encouraged her Majesty in
her aversion toward the adrninistration. So
they sent him out in order to get him away
from Madrid but absolutely declined TO
he needed for the suppression of the insur-
Iectlon-a Tar more serious affair than the
Guoan rebellion-their object being that he
should 1ful, ana return 10 Spain a defeated
and discredited man. To their dsmay he
managed with his mere handful of white
tr0opS-not more than about g. C0 in num-
ber-to practically put an end to the in
surrectlon, and then took advantage of his
victory TO lnaugurate without the consent
OF the nome government a number of ur-
gently needed reforms and concessions Of
liberal character which led to his recall
tnat the general DEGREES would not be rat
med Poor Polaveja has Just reached
nome blinded by ophthalmia and almost
DEAD with disease of the liver a victim to
ms sense of duty and loyalty to the throne
WHY REFORMS ARE REFUSED.
1t is hardly necessary to make more than
a passing reference here to the reluctance
OF the Canovas branch of the Conservative
party to make any concession in the direc-
llon or self-government, either to Cuba or
TO the Philippine islands. Autonomy in
each OF these cases means the utilization
OF the revenues of the respective colonies
for their own development and welfare in
stead of their being devoted to filling the
pocket of friends of the late administration
and dishonest politicians. who in most case
nave never set a foot upon the islands in
question. Autonomy for Cuba and the
Philippines means the loss of the major
portion, and by far the latest part of the
patronage at the disposal which by the
means OF some maneuVer or other has al
ways been retained in the hands Apf the
conservatives, even when out of Office, ow-
ing perhaps to the UNNECESSARILY superior
honesty of the Liberals in every conceiv-
able walk of life. Moreover, it must not be
forgotten that Dona Joaquin, the mpe-
rious and masterful wife of the Monster"
as Canovas is nicknamed, has large inter-
ests in Cuba, her father, the late Marquis
de la Puente, having been the chief of a
Spanish-American family, and born on this
side of the Atlantic
And Dona joaquin, 1T is well to bear in
MIND, is q very important parsonage at
Madrid, where she rules her husband, as
well as the members of his party, to such
an extent, especially in all questions af-
fecting colonial politics, that she goes by
the nickname of THE Queen of Cuba" She
simply abominates the regent, and having
on several occasions attempted to publicly
slight her Majesty, she has been called
down by Christina with a quiet dignity and
supercilliousness which the latter owes to
the fact that she is a gifted member of
that house of Hapsburg. which has occu-
pied one of the grandest thrones in Europe
for many centuries. Perhaps the most
amusing instance of this was afforded one
day when Dona Joaquin attempted to in
terrupt a conversation which was in prog
ress between the Queen and the Italian en-
bassador. All the other ladies and gentle
men in attendance were standing aside
while the Queen and the diplomat were
talking. Nothing daunted, Madame Canovas
sailed up to the Queen and apostrophized
her with loud Sonora" The Queen, with
out answering, gently raised her hand by
way of indication TO Madame Canovas that
she was engaged. A few minutes later Dona
Joaquin made another attempt to interrupt
the conversation and again was induced
to silence by a wave of the Regents hand
in the presence of the whole court. Thor
oughly piqued, Dona Joaquin was about to
retire when Christina motioned to her to
remain at a spot a few feet off until the
conversation had finished, and there she
kept the proud and arrogant woman stand
ing for over twenty minutes until her own
talk with, the ambassador was finished.