The record-union., 1897-10-01
The FALL OF The
SPANISH CABINET.
Minister W00dfOrd Has Sent No In
formation Of the Change.
Interest Caniers on the Composition of the
New Ministry.

The Crisis Not Brought About by
American Affairs, but Was Due
Entirely to Internal Politics,
of Which the Church Excom-
munication of the Minister of
Finance, Senior Navorro Reyer-
ter, Formed a Leading Part.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30-Minister
Woodford has not yet informed the
State Department of the Cabinet change
in Spain. The main point of interest
here at present is the composition Of the
new Cabinet, and it is expected that Mr..
Woodford will not neglect to cable the
earliest information possible.
Ia Administration circles to-day opin-
ions are fairly divided as to whether
the new Cabinet will be Liberal or Con
servative and as that is matter of
gravest importance to our Government
as influencing the line of policy to be
followed as to Cuba, there is strong
desire to obtain information as to the
prospects.
The President had scarcely reached
the White House this morning before
Secretary Sherman called, closely fol-
lowed by Assistant Secretary Day, and
although it is understood that the lat
ter's visit was purely on State affairs, it
is not doubted there was a discussion of
the latest Madrid developments.
In the absence of the Spanish Min
lister, Mr.. Dubose is the senior Spanish
official here, but he has not vet called
at the State Department, and has not, so
far as can be learned, received official
advices from Madrid.
Diplomats familiar with Spanish af
fairs say the conditions point to one of
two results: Namely, the complete col
lapse of the Conservative regime, which
has been responsible for Cuban policy,
and its succession By a Liberal Cabi-
net, with pacific and conciliatory ten
denotes toward Cuba, or else transi-
tion Ministry, with Azcarraga again at
the head as temporary expedient to tide
over affairs until the Cortes can meet,
when a permanent and stable Ministry
will be formed. Officials believe that a
complete change of Ministry will be
VIII De IOfnleu. OlNCld1S DSl10Ne llidl q
complete change of Ministry and political
parties, with Sagasta as the new leader,
is the more probable. In that case, it is
said, Senor Morel probably would be the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Morel is
best remembered in the United States
from the fact that he was the first to
recognize the Mora claim represented by
the United States That made him a
target for criticism in Spain, but he was
ultimately justified by his political op
ponents when they paid the claim after
the energetic demands made by Secre-
tary Olney.
The name of Senior Gammaso has been
mentioned in the Madrid cables as likely
to take the foreign portfolio in the Sa
gasta Cabinet, but this is believed to be
erroneous, as Gammaso has never been
prominent in State affairs. but is noted
as financier, and was financial Min
lister in a former Liberal Cabinet. He
has a strong following, and it is be-
lieved by officials that Gammaso would
take the Treasury portfolio in a Liberal
Cabinet.
1t is stated positively that American
affairs did not bring on the crisis, but
that it was due entirely to internal pol
itics of which the church excommuni-
cation of Senor Navarro Reverter Min
ister Of Finance in the fallen Cabinet,
formed part. It appears that the
Minister of Finance insisted that the
church property in an interior diocese
should pay taxes as other property This
was opposed by the Bishop, who claimed
a church exemption. The Minister
l, to fla
procedure of levying on the church
property in default of tax payments.
The Bishop responded with a decree of
accommodation against the Minister
of Finance. The latter appealed to the
Metropolitan See, who ruled against the
Bishop. The latter was insistent on his
prerogatives claiming that a Bishop
was supreme in matters affecting an
communication. The case has now
been appealed to Rome for final de-
termination. Meantime the excommuni
cation stands, and to some extent has
its influence against the entire Cabinet,
owing to the strong church sentiment in
Spain and the official union between
church and state. 1t is not doubted that
the Queen Regent would be guided in
such a question affecting the Cabinet
by the wishes of Rome.
The feeling that Sagasta is to be
the coming Premier, either at once or
after the transition Ministry retires,
leads to many favorable comments on
his ability by those who know him
personally A leading American diplo
mat. cne who has been conspicuous in
Spanish American affairs, said to-day
that Sagasta's assumption of office. un-
doubtedly would have an important and
beneficial effect on the Cuban question
and the relations between the United
States and Spain. He is now past 20,
but still retains the vigor that made
him a natural leader of the Liberals in
earlier days. OF all the Spanish states
men, he is regarded as the one most
friendly to this country.
Those conversant with the Spanish
system say the crisis is not likely to
continue beyond FIVE or six days For
the present the crisis has had the effect
of postponing action on questions be-
tween the United States and Spain. as
nothing can be done by either country
until permanent Ministry is formed.
TO SETTLE CUBAN DIFFICULTIES
LONDON, Sept. 30.-A special dis
patch from Madrid says that rumor
prevails there to the effect that an i'm
portant communication has been re-
ceived by the Spanish Government
from the leaders of the Cuban insur-
gents. suggesting the basis of a posi-
bic settlement of the Cuban difficulties.
sAGAsTA WILL RULE.
MADRID. Sept. 30.-As a result Of
the interviews General Azcarraga. the