The herald., 1898-05-12
AN HILARIOUS SESSION
rs DEVOTED TO BUILDING UP
BPAIN's TRADE
SENIOR SALMERON IS SAT UPON
While Politicians squabble the People
Of Spain Make Riotous Objection
to Starvation
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wtra
LONDON, May 1.-THE Madrid corre-
spondent of the Times says:
"At the beginning of todays sitting the
chamber passed bills for the temporary
abolition of the import duty on raw cotton
and the abolition of differential duties on
foreign ships trading between Spain and
her colonies. The former will help the
Catalonian manufacturers and the latter
will encourage blockade running.
The indemnity bill was next passed, al
most unopposed, the Carlists alone voting
against 1t. The remainder of the session
was devoted to a continuation of yester-
days oratorical tournament The chief
feature was a crushing reply by Senior
Silvela, leader Of the dissident Conserva-
tives, to Senior Salmeronis oration. Senor
Silvela calmly, and with perfect parlia-
mentary propriety, shot many poisoned
darts in the form Of allusion to incidents in
Salermon's former political career, produc-
ing applause and hilarity.
Senior Silvela declared confidently that
the monarchy had nothing to fear from
Republicans under leader who divided in
stead of united his followers. He said the
best thing Senior Salermon could do was to
make himself forgotten. Even the Carlists.
who had been coquetting with the Repub-
licans, applauded Senior Silvela, one OF
them speaking in almost the same sense.
In the senate today. Admiral Beranger,
minister of marine in the last cabinet of
the late Senior Canovas del Castillo, asked
for an account of the war material sent t.
the colonies and of the warships purchased
by Spain between May Z, 1895, and Marcf\e
1885, He asked also for report on the
electric torpedo boat bought by Spain.
In the chamber tonight Senor Sagasta
replied to Senior Salmeron's attack on the
present regime, retorting that the state OF
anarchy which existed in Spain during the
short-lived republican regime, under Sal
meron, made Spain the laughing stock OF
the world.
The premier defended the policy Of the
government in doing 'its utmost to avoid
war while the Yankees were playing foul
game" He repeated his appeal for union,
adding that who ever sowed discord was
not a patriot He concluded his speech by
declaring that the government would
prosecute the war to close.
Spanish Finances
LONDON, May 12.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Daily Mail says: I'm the
cortes a special war budget of f2o,U0O0 900
was demanded, with a tax on :and and pub
lie securities. The sinking fund was sus-
pended. A patriotic syndicate has been
formed in Madrid. which will borrow a
million pesetas to buy grain at Mar
seilles and Antwerp, as all the provinces
but one have refused to send more grain
to Madrid"
The Spanish Fleet
LONDON, May 1.-THE Madrid CORE
spondent of the Daily Mail says: Admiral
Bermejo, minister of marine, denies that
the Cape Verde squadron has returned to
Cadiz. He affirms that this fleet at the
present moment is where 1t ought to be
according to the instructions given it,"
A Gloomy Outlook
NEW YORK, May ia dispatch to the
Herald from Madrid says:
1t is only indirectly that attention is paid
to the progress of the war by the people
here. For the time being every one is ell.
crossed with consideration of the minis
terial crisis.
Upon it's solution depends the immediate
action of Spain.
If the Cabinet weathers the storm 1t will
issue from 1t instructed to prosecute the
war vigorously or else be empowered te
take steps for the re-establishment q
peace with the least possible delay.
From careful consideration of the min
istry's action it is more than probable thai
the latter solution will be more in accord
snce with the members personal desires.
The question is. will they be able to fol
low their desires? Their position is diff
cult one. They know only too we'll that TIL,