The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-23

minister or foreign affairs, has resigned,
us result of an incident in the senate
TODAY. when he boxed the ears OF Senator
CUmns.
Senior CanOvas, the premier, will take
the portfolio ad interim.
There WAS II heated and tumultuous
febate in the Senate regarding the reso.
luton passed by the United States Senate
yesterday to recognize the Cuban bellig-
erents.
This led>to dispute between the Duke
of Tetuap, the minister for foreign
affairs, and Senator Comas. a liberal.
which ended in the duke boxing the sen
ator's ears. q eat connection ensued,
and the sitting of the senate was aus-
pended.
The liberal minority held meeting to
consider the situation, and ex.Premier
Sagasta, the liberal leader, was summon
ed to confer with his followers. The lib.
eral senators decided to attend no more
sessions Of the senate until full satisfac-
ton has been accorded to Senator Comns
and the liberal party by the Duke of Te-
tuan.
An urgent MESSAGE was also sent to the
premier, Senior Canovas del Castillo, by
the ministerialists, and the resignation of
the minister of foreign affairs followed.
The Duke of Tctuan and Senator Comas
Mt once selected seconds as preliminary
to duel, but che seconds decided, as the
aggressions were reciprocal, duel is not
necessary.
Senator Comas,in June last, supported
the amendmen5 to the address, asking
that treaties with the United States might
he cancelled on the ground that they were
a source ST conflict, and endangered the
peace of Spain and the United States. He
made n speech at that time, bitterly as
saiin" the United States, and welcoming
the conf let which he looked on az inevi.
table
The ficht to-day was provoked by the
statement OF the Duke of Tetuan that
Senior Sagasta's speech the other day to
the liberals had contributed to bring
about the vote in the American Senate.
Gen. Lius Pando said: "The thing now
happening is due to the cowardliness and
feebleness of the government
Senator Comas said: "You will discuss
that to morrow"
"We will discuss it," replied the Duke
of Tetuan; "but will accept dictation
from nobody"
Nor I either" retorted Senator CO.
mas, at the top of his voice
At this point the Duke of Tetuan, pale
with excitement, boxed both ears of SEN
ator Comas, and felled him to the floor.
The sou CT Comas threw himself upon the
duke and struck him IA heavy blow with
his fist. Several senator's ntervened, and
general scnffie ensued. with great con-
fusion, and it WAS some time before order
was restored.
The Duke of Tetuan rendered his resig-
nation Immediately after the incident. 1t
is believed that he misunderstood the re-
ply of Senior Comas, as ne is regarded an
extremely courteous and honorable man.
Senator Comas is professor in tie
University of Madrid, aud is held in high
esteem in schole sitic and political circles.
Senator Canovas, Senior Segasta and the
president of the senate had long confer
ence on the subject Of the ARRAY late This
afternoon, but all maintain the greatest
reserve.
The senate resumed it's session this
evening. but no reference was made to
the incident. 1t adjourned at 10 O'Clock,
alter which The immediate witnesses de
liberated with the seconds of the Duke of
Tetuan and Senior Comas for an hour be-
lore the seconds decided that under the
code duello duel was unnecessary
Senior Morety Prendergrast, Il former
minister, asked the governments on be-
ha'f of the liberals, in the chamber of
deputies to day, to submit all the papers
relating to the rebellion in. Cuba and to
the diplomatic relations OF Spain with
the powers.
Senior CaEovas, the premier, replying
SAID the government could only attach
credit to such information as was sent
by.Capt. Gen. .Weyler.. He severely blamed
the American news paners for disseminate
ing false news, and cited, as case in
point, recent statements attributed to
Consul General Lee.
"Spain's relations with other powers"
the premier said, continue cordial, but
the advice which the Americans are o1er-
ing to us as to Cuba cannot be followed,
because Spain will never accept any in.
tervention in n matter which peculiarly
concerns herself. The documents which
have been asked for would only refer to
this advice. The government has accepted
iull responsibility for everything which
has been done by Capt. Gen. Weyler"
Senior Morety PrendergrasJ asked if it
were true that the United States Senate
had recognized the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents.
The premier replied that the report to
this affect was not a surprise to him. AS
1t was question of creating more diff
culties for President Mckinley in connec-
ton with the tariff bill, hut he believed
PRESIDENT Mckinley, like Mr. Cleveland,
would decide for himself in such mat
ter.
In the course of his reply to the inter.
pellatton Senator Canovas said that the
exchanges of opinion between Spain and
the other European powers on tue subject
OF Cuba had always been unofficial. The
pc Hers had shown great reserve in defin-
ing Their views and this attitude had led