The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-10
SAGASTl ON THE SITUATION
PREMIER SADDENED BY EVENTS
AT MANILA.
Deplores Discussions and Intrigues
Among the Spaniards, and De-
clares He Sought to Avoid War.

London, May 10.-The Madrid CORES
pondent of the Morning Post has had a
long interview with Senior Sagasta, the
premier. in the course of which the
Spanish statesman said:
1.-The sad events at Manila have sad
dened all Spaniards, but have not made
them lose heart. ne can say with con-
fidence of this disaster that nothing has
occurred to wound our pride. Much
has been said regarding the causes of
the catastrophe, but all the discussion
has been beside the question. The
truth is, we were too few and were
overwhelmed by the great superiority
of the enemy's forces and by the for
tunes of war which. unhappily, went
against US.
I'm the present juncture there is no
time to lose. 1t is useless to debate.
We must reserve all our strength and
all our energy for tomorrow. Our first
duty is to unite, in order to vanquish
our enemies and uphold the honor of
Spain.
Now this is precisely what grieves
me. 1 believed that the first cannon
shot fired by the United States against
our troops would be a signal for the
union and fraternity of all Spaniards,
as all are fully affected by the assault
of the United States. 1 was mistaken.
Certain parliamentaTian groups are in
disagreement with the government and
have the pretention to make conditions
in return for their support. They thus
paralyze our efforts and diminish the
strength which is indispensaoie 10 the
government. In such difficult times
some are even ceaSingly intriguing,
others are full of reticence. and all has
been done in the name of the father
land. Attempts have even been made
to assail the monarchy, with their au-
thors appearing not to imagine for
moment that this is simply weakening
the country, lowering the prestige of
the flag, tending to the Encouragement
of the troops and the encouragement of
our enemies.
when our political adversaries at
tack the government, when they crit
icise the acts of the crown while war
is proceeding, they are committing
crime. for which some day they may
have to answer before the country.
ION principle, i am opposed to war
which is always disastrous, even to the
victorious nation. God is my witness
that did not wish a rupture with the
United States. / realized perfectly that
we were exhausted by the war which
we have been waging so long, and
needed rest. On the contrary, / de-
sired a peaceful solution which would
have protected our interests and honor,
our rights and sovereignty. The gov
eminent did everything to avoid con-
flict, even more than it should have
done. When our adversaries began to
treat us with contempt, war became in
evitable and we were compelled to ac-
cept it.
1.-THE situation is very simple, and,
cannot be concealed.
Spain is. decolated and ruined by inter-
nal troubles. The United States have
coveted Cuba for a long time, firstly
because it is an excellent strategic
point: secondly, so as to be masters of
the inter-oceanic trade. To attain their
object they have literally hesitated at
nothing. They knew the state of our
inancss and took advantage of it to at
Jack us, after having assisted the Gu
ban Instruction with a view of COM
oleting our ruin. and with a cut-and- i
Tried plan, declaring war as soon as
hey considered our exhaustion suffi-
,iently advanced.
Now that the struggle has begun, |
he Americans continue the same tao |
les. Instead of openly making war. |
hey encourage in every way the trou-
oles in Cuba. Porto Rico and ths; Phil |
ppines, and If they could. they would |
;tir up an resurrection in the peninsula. |
The future is in the hands of God. None i
IAN foresee 1t.