The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-06
The Change of Ministry in Spain.


1t is settled that the veteran leader of the
Liberals, Sefor SAGAsTA, is to form a Cab
met, and his first move will, undoubtedly,
be to dissolve the present Cortes, in the
popular branch of which the Conservatives
have a large majority, and to appeal to the
constituencies. In view of the methods of
managing electoral contests which prevail
in Spain, We may be quite sure that the
appeal will be successful. Since the res
toration Of the Bourbon monarchy in the
person of ALFONSO XII, the party in power
has never been beaten at a general election.
How will the advent of the Liberals to
power affect the position of Cuba2 Is there
any likelihood that the new Cabinet will
consent to give the island independence in
consideration of a large money indemnity
to be guaranteed by the United States2
Touching this point, we must remember
that the number of conspicuous Spaniards
who would venture publicly to advocate
such a proposal may be reckoned on the
fingers of one hand. Gen. PRIM, when he
was a~ll.powerful in Madrid, is believed to
nave contemplated a sale of Cuba, and his
assassination has been attributed to the
knowledge Of his intention. Schor MoRET,
who Is to be Colonial Minister in the
Sagasta Cabinet, has on two occasions
expressed himself with reference to
the Cuban question in terms that nave
been construed as indicative of q will.
ingness to see Spain we'll rid of the
island. Seior S%ILvELA, the leader of
the Dissident Conservatives, has de.
clared that Spain, in his opinion, ought
to "liquidate" her relation to Cuba,
a phrase which has been interpreted to
mean that it would be better for the mother
country to sell the island thar to waste
any more money upon the effort to retain
it. No other Spaniard of authority, how
ever, has avowed similar views within
the last thirty years.. Sehor CASTELAR,, a Re-
publican who provisionally accepts the mon
archy, has shown himself to be as vehe-
mently opposed to an acknowledgment of
Cuba's independence upon any terms what
ever as was the late Sefor CANovAs. What
Spanish Republicans, as a party, think on
the subject may be inferred from the fact
that Gen. WEYLER himself is one of their
most trusted leaders. We do not believe,
therefore, that the return of SAGAsTA to
Office has changed the situation at all, so
far as the disposition of the Madrid Gov
eminent to sell Cuba is concerned.
In some minor particulars, on the other
hand, the situation is materially altered.
Gen. WEYLER will be recalled, and the
attempt to suppress the insurrection may
be made hereafter with moro of the hui
manity and decency that are expected to
characterize warfare In our time. 1t Is also
probable that a considerably larger meas
urc of autonomy than was promised by
CANovAs will be conceded forthwith to
the Cubans. The scheme outlined, how
ever, will fail to satisfy the Cubans in sew
eral vital particulars. The islanders are to
have, it is true, a Legislature of their own,
and the Legislature is to be empowered to
distribute that part Of the proceeds of taxa
tion which is appropriated to the necessities
of the island. That part, however, will be
very small, II it be not reduced to nothing,
If the Cubans are obliged to pay interest
upon all the debt which is now charged
against The Cuban revenues. The right,
too, of framing the draft of a tariff which
is to be granted to the Cuban Legislature
will also prove ~illusory, since the draft will
have to be transmitted to Madrid and re-
ceive the approval of the Cortes before II
that Cubans, instead of Spaniards, will be
employed in administrative posts. The
truth Is that Spaniards cannot bring them
selves to regard Cuba in any other light
than as an orange to be squeezed, and they
are consequently incapable OF giving thu