The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-09
LIFE OF CANOTAS.
HIS Humble OriEiD-Ais Represaive Policy
Dealing with the Colonies.

His Humble OriEln-His Represaive Policy in
Dealing with the Colonies.
Don Antonio Canovas del Castillo was born at
Malaga In 1928. His father was a modest
schoolteacher and his mother was q washer
women. He entered public life as editor of
La PutTiu, an organ of Senior Rios Rosas, in
which Canovas defended Conservative ideas.
In 1854 he was elected Deputy for Malaga, and
since that year he has never ceased to BIO a
member Of the Cortes. As Charge d'Afaires
in Rome, in 1856. he drew up the historical
memorandum upon the relations OF Spain with
the Holy Sec which served as a basis for the
Concordat. He was then named SUCCESSFULLY
Governor of Cadiz in 1855. Director-General of
the administration in 1853, and Under Secre-
tary of State for the Interior in 1851. In 1855
he WAS appointed Minister of the Colonies in
the Cabinet presided over by Gen. O"Don-
neli. 1t was then that Canovas revealed
his superiority over most of the Spanish
politicians. At that early date he showed
that he looked upon the colonial problem az one
whose solution was most pressing: but this very
fact makes him the more responsible before his
tory for his failure in solving 1t, although. moro
than any other statesman, he had the authority
and the power to impose his will upon those who
systematically opposed any measure which
might directly or indirectly tend to relieve the
colonies from political and economic oppression
by the mother country.
Foreseeing later events. Canovas proposed in
1858 to establish reforms in the Antilles. and to
that effect he convoked what was called the
Junta dc Information. which met at Madrid
from 1865 to 1867. In vain did the Cuban dele
gates to the junta point out the gravity Of the
situation and urge the adoption OF certain re:
forms. Their advice was totally ignored, and
the result was the Cuban revolution Of
1863. Canovas often referred to the fall
nre Of the VI tSnta,, .h saying that h, he
iunta held its sessions; but his excuse was dis.
credited, by the fact that when he became the
lord and master OF Spain he, always opposed
ests OF Spain, or, as he used to say, because the
national reality could not be made to accord
with an autonomous, colony
II has not been definitely determined whether
Isabella, He was accused of conspiring with
those who wished to place the Duke OF Mont
having failed, Canovas went to Paris aud be-
came reconciled with Queen Isabella. He pre-
sided over the education OF young Don Alfonso,
comparatively liberal ideas. He was the soul OF
the movement which resulted in tho proclama.
tion Of Don Alfonso as Kins of spain by Gen.
Canoyas then assumed power, and was con
frmed IN the premiership by the young king
As the Prime Minister of the restored mon.
archy Canoyas deserted his comparatively lib
eral antecedents. He abrogated the law for
tion, abolished the liberty otn learning, deprived
of their chairs at the university such men as
Salmeron, CASTELAR,, and Others, some OF whom
TO The return Of the Jespits TO Spain. The con-
cordat OF 1881 with the Holy See was re-
established.
months in 1871, when Gen. Joyellar was called
TO ONCE, CanoVas continued holding the Pro.
niership until February. 1879. when upon the