New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-25
CANOVAS'S FALL IMMINENT.
FORMATION OF A sAGASTA MINISTRY
EXPECTED SOON IN MADRID.
THE pREMIER's EXPLANATIONS FAIL TO SATISFY
THE LIBERALS WHO REFUSE TO ATTEND
THE coRTEs AND SAY THE DUKE OF

TETUAN MUST CO.
Madrid. May 24.-In the Senate to-day. in re-
ply to a Conservative Senator, who asked why
the Liberals were absent, Sehor Canovas del
Castillo the Premier. said
I'm the opinion OF the Government the mat
ter which the Liberals plead as an excuse for
their absence from the Senate Is an incident Of
a purely personal character which has already
been arranged. The Government respects the
opinion OF the Liberal minority. but rejects their
theory OF the incident and their demands for
the resignation OF the Minister OF Foreign AZ
fairs as contrary to the constitution Of Parlia-
ment.
Formerly governed In the absence Of a MI
nority; but. under the present circumstances. the
responsibility belongs to all parties 1t is I'M
possible to face the negotiations now on foot
without serious detriment II change the For
eign Minister"
The Marquis Of Pera,es, on behalf Of the dissi-
dent Conservatives, declared that, under the CIR
cumstances. they felt compelled to absent them
selves until the Liberals had received satsfac-
ton.
In the Chamber Of Deputies the Premier re-
peated the statement he had made in the Sen
ate. adding that he regretted the absence OF
the Liberals. because It prevented Sehor Sagasta
from defending himself against certain accusa-
tons arising out Of an erroneous Interpretation
of one Of his speeches Sehor Canovas referred
to the bad impression which had been produced
in this way at Washington where, he said, 1t
seemed to he supposed that the sale of Cuba was
a possible thing Spain" said Sehor Canovas. "is
not a nation OF merchants capable OF selling its
honor"
sehor silveIa, leader Of the dissident Conserva-
Cb ,bo yxith
Canovas in 1901 over the expediency Of reform
ing the municipal abuses In Madrid. accused the
Duke Of Tetuan of grave error, which could
not be rghted by a few eloquent words. He said
the Foreign Minister ought TO eXpiate his Of
fence by resignlng In the course Of his speech
he described the action OF the United States SEN
ate in recognizing the belligerency Of the Cuban
insurgents as great iniquity," and character
lied the diplomatic conduct of the Government
as altogether blameworthy, adding an expression
of his doubt to the intelligence OF Senor
Canovas in retaining the Duke OF Tetuan under
the circumstances.
| After the session of the Cortes the dissident
! Conservatives held meeting and decided 70
ask the President Of the CT amber TO enter into
! negotiations with Sehor Sagasta, with a view
| of Inducing the Liberals to attend the Cortes.
! Under existing circumstances the retention OF
| the present Cabinet does not seem possible Ihe
| Liberals, who consider the formation OF a Sa-
| casta Cabinet inevitable within q few days
| have abandoned all idea of agreeing upon the
| formation of a working Ministry.
The projected duel between the sons OF the
! Duke of Tetuan, Minister for Foreign Anairs
and Professor Comas, the Liberal Senator whose
ears were boxed by the Duke on Friday last n
| the lobby Of the Senate has been abandoned
| the dispute having been amcably settled.
| The "Hcraldo" says II learns that high per
| sonages have asked Marshal Martinez Campos
the former Captain-General OF Cuba, to come u
| Madrid
London. May GA dispatch TO THE Times
from Madrid says that the statements and ex
| plantations of the Premier In 'he Senate ano
| Chamber Of Deputies do not tend to break the
! deadlock but. on the contrary. have strength
| ened the resolution Of the Liberals to absent
| Themselves from the Cortes until they receive
! satisfaction for the affront put upon Senator
! Cnmas by the Duke Of Tetuan.