New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-10
VIEWS OF SPANISH OFFICIALS
SENIOR SAGASTA SAYS HIS COUNTRY WAS
DRIVEN INTO WAR.
copyright: 1898: I'll. Associated rres'.)

tho Associated Press has had interview Win
conor sosas,a the President Of the Council or
,,,,,e,ors At his office in the Gale de Alcala,
midway between the Puerta del Sol and the
Banco de Espaha. The appointment, h~eo ny
n courteous note from the President himself
was for $50 O'Clock yesterday evening On ar
rival the correspondent was al once sho" !"
into Il handsomely furnished ante-rooIn' the
walls q which we're adorned with some fine
portraits Of last century worthless. whose iea'
ures and costumes were clearly MADE OUT ny
the brilliant glare OF electric lights
As the correspondent entered the Irifne A'h-
isters sanctum the Premier politely arose anu
pointing TO an armchair separated from MS on!
by the corner OF the writing table asked MIN "
be seated.
The Premier had about finished nara ua'
work vet so amiable was his reception tnat IL
almost appeared as though the correspondents
visit was the sole most important occupation
Of the day The correspondent said.
Sir | want to ask your views on five points
! shall keep the NTH in reserve a. " IL III s.'e
nature cf a request the other four are: Inc
Cabinet officially said TO exist between 0eho'S
camazo and Puiecerver. the real reason for
Senior Leon y Casto's return TO PARIS ''e
truth as to the foreign relations OF spain-is she
is she not seeking dlIlsiH''' ~" ''-
the prospects Of peace
Senior Sagasta replied.
"The second third and fourth all somewhat
bear on the same subject-!orcsn relations. AZ
the present delicate juncture do not feel justi-
fled In speaking thereon. with respect 10 pe"oe
nrcspects. information could be more easily OBJ
tanned in Washington than In Madrid since
here there was no desire for war. Spain has
i, lof.D nj
and national existence The United States were
the aggressors and it is for them to say wheh
peace shall prevail
"As regards the reported Cabinet discuss'o"'
the question between Seniors Ganazo and fuis-
carvor was purely an academic one. and have
sufficient confidence IN their patriotism 10 say
that they will not discuss il 10 bring about
disunion in the Cabinet at time when inc
country is in danger Such scholastic differ
ences OF opinion will undoubtedly be left FOR
discussion in quleter times. and Will not be
hoard 81 while we are before the enemy.
"No" the Premier added, enphatically. i
nm, sure Won will find rumor is wrong in suppos-
,,, ,hero IN any danger OF a Cabinet crisis ars-
ing on this score"
when the Premier had paused after thls 'as'
remark. he smiled kindly. and said:
Nov. what about the fifth subject on when
Won wished to speak7 A favor you wanted. WAS
It not?"
81; IL " tho correspondent replied. and very
s,rsat one. 1t is no less than to ask Your Excel
Iencv TO obta ain for me- rs journalist, an inter
view with Her Majesty the Queen Regent
The Premier openei his eyes with surprise
and said:
What YOU ask is impossible. quite appre-
cia.e the. good intentions you have but were the
Queen Of Spain 10 grant one interview II wou'd
he difficult to refuse granting others her
Majesty has consistently refused 20 sec journal
lists in interviews for press purposes. and - dc-
termlned to maintain that resolution.
The inevitable was accepted by the CORE
suondent who thanked the Premier for the KIND
ness ne had sho yn him
The Premier listened with courtly dignity ana
cs the door to which he led the correspondent
closed. the Prime Minister Of Spain remarked
May you go with Cod
During the interview senor sagasta sat with
his right elbow resting on the table before him'
his hand lightly rubbing hts right cheek. very
Characteristic action with him. Ills shoulders
stoop somewhat 1is features are worn ana iur-
rowed by deep Lines. reminders OF his weather
beaten and checkered career. HIS mouth y
large. nut is softened ~ his gray mustache ana
beard. while his eyes are keen and give chai-
leuging expression 20 his face.
Altogether he gives one the impression OF
remerkab bic man. a man better qualified to coun-
sci than to lead other men.
BY turns he has been almost revolutionary
and conservative lie conspired against Isabel
IT, was Minister Of the 1871 republic, was
Castelar's acconpllce against Canoyas. ana
Martos's accompllce against Castelar, Through
all changes Of fortune he has kept his head on
his shoulders and his honorable poverty in his
pocket Even his enemies wonder how he has
remained so poor, considering that. apart from
his political means OF acquiring wealth. he Is
one Of th,. best engineers In Spain.