The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-25
Duke de Rio Accepts the Foreign
Affairs Portfolio,
A VERY SURPRISING STATEMENT,
Pnigcerver, spain's Minister Of il
nance. Ayers That the Country's AZ
fairs arc Satisfactory, and the
War Expenses arc assured,
Secret orders Sent TO
Admiral Ccrvcra.

MADRID. May Pill p. M-The same
mvsterlous silence rcisns in official cir-
cles tonight as last night The govern
mcnt dlscloscs nothing from The seat OF
war.
ia spondencia Espana observes:
"An unexplained feeling OF dispondcncy
is noticeable. As no bad news has been
received, we can only suggest that this
feeling IS caused by fears Of proionsa-
tion Of the war;
DE RIO ACCEPTS.
MADRID. May 4-Duke Almolovar de
Rio has accepted the portfolio of Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs. offered to, but
declined by S,nor Leon " Castillo, the
Spanish Ambassador at Paris. The Duke
Informed the correspondent OF the Associ-
ated Press chat he does not desire the
office but accepts 60 on patriotic grounds
ID is believed Senior GamazO. tho present
Minister of Public instruction and Liberal
leader. viii replace Senior Puieccrvcr'
now Minister of Finance who has abb
solutoly declined in The Cortos TO agree
20 an income tax and who IS consequently
expected 10 resign. ScnOr GamaZo Ia
vors the proposed impost.
It is said that the concentration OF
Spanish troops in the neishhorhood OF
Gibraltar is due 90 am increase in the
British military preparations.
The Liberal. Premier Sagasta's organ,
saws that divorging interests of the Pow
ers preclude for tfa present any definite
prompt diplomatic action giving spain
powerful European backing
A SURPRISING STATEMENT.
4P. Mn the Chamber OF Deputies
to-day senor Puisccrvcr. Minister Of
Finance. replying 10 the criticisms of the
MARQUIS De Vnavcrde, Conservative,
with respcct to the financial policy OF
the government ropudiatod the charge
Of want of foresight and asserted that
Spain's finances were in satisfactory
condition. assuring the payment Of all
the expenses of the war.
HEAVY TAXATION.
senior Puiecervcr said that in Wow Of
the impossibility Of negotiating loans
abroad there was no means of raising
funds TO continue the war except by an
extension OF the bank of SPANS note is-
sue which. however. did not imply a
forced paper currency.
He proposed. he said, 20 convert me
treasury's floating debt. now nearly ''-
O00OO0 pesotas. into small denomination
treasury bonds. Ilo explained The pro-
posed conversion of the external debt
but avoided any ailusion 20 the pro-
posed tax on the natoral debt. Senor
Puirccrver affirmed the necessity OF a
twenty per cent. increase in all taxation
including that on agriculture.
ORDERS TO CERNERA.
MADRID. May PA dispatch received
here from Havana says. secret orders
have been given TO Admiral Cervera as
to what course To pursue in the event OF
The Americans attempting TO cut COM
municatons between CUBA and Spain.
Americans continue To- occupy sta-
tions outside of Havana Cioniucgos, Car
oenas and Santiago DE Cuba. There are
now nineteen American warships before
Havana"
II is reported that the Spanish govern
mont has purchased another yessel 10 De
used as am armed cruiser.
NEWS FROM CERyERA.
LONDON. May 25-The following has
been received from Madrid, dated J..
A.. Nothing positively has been rev aled
as 20 the situation.
General Correa. Minister Of War has
received a telegram from General biahco'
saving that American warships are III
front Of Santiago.
CAPTAIN Auan. Minister of Marine mas
received Il lengthy dispatch from Admi-
ral Ceryera, replying n iul 20 ins'ruc-
tons
The Minister OF Marine receives mo-
bodv. lie is working day and night. Yes
terdav he presented 20 the Queen Regent
every detail of the plans at Santiago
de cuba, showing the defcnces and the
security of Admiral Cervera's 5 squadron.
Admiral Camara has gone back To
Cadiz with sealed orders. 10 is said that
on his arrival there he will arrange for
manoeuvres of his ships no sea for trials
OF speed gunncry and everything neces-
sary 10 satisfy himself that the squadron
is I'm efficient condition. lie will depart
for n destination undivulgod.
"Sonor Capdepon Minister OF the ln-
terror. says telegram received by rho
War Office from Manila reported that
the natives arc disposed 10 remain'oyal
10 Spain and and will defend the terri
tory against foreign invasion.
"The latest rumor is that Spanish
Oarship has captured an American war