The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-28

sometimes the remark: I'm any other
country somebody would be shot for
| this
The consciousness Of the situation, as
thus affected, has greatly depressed the
queen regent and filled the Weylerites
and the more dignifed section OF the
military party with a wrath that BODIES
i'll for the future Of official responsible
for such criminal neglect
In war which will be chiefly a ques-
ton of fleets and where the smaller pow
er must Aght thousands of miles from
home and depend absolutely on one or
two bases of supplies, always threatened
by the enemy, the coal, which is the sine
qua non, is possibly not available. That
there should be any doubt whatever is
of the highest Importance.
The Spanish educated classes under
stand the full significance of 1t. Right
in line with this is the equally astonish-
ing discovery that the government ap-
pears to have neglected to inquire of the
powers what attitude they would take
| on the question of making coal contra
band; and now that the inquiry is made
anu blAO ACPLS - III ItlCOHlIlASB DpdIiI even
with all the financial resources neces-
sary, is confronted with the damning fact
that her coal supply is likely to be Woe
fully inadequate.
Sagasta took Office pledged to the paci-
f1cation of Cuba and the maintenance Of
good relations with America. No doubt
! he believes both ends would be secured.
The dominating element in his cabinet is
enor Moret, the brilliant but too optim-
istic minister of the colonies. Sagagsta
has been largely under the influence of
Moret. The lattel is cultivated, a lin
guist, born orator, a model OF Spanish
courtliness and, in times of peace, a
man who could be Of great service to his
country. He is not man of war and
would neglect to take the precautions
suggested by the military instinct
enor Gullon, the foreign minister. de-
lights in diplomacy and excels in it.
But he is difident and delicate. There
is nothing military in his composition
He is cool judge, and fair and candid in
his estimates, but he relies on the shield
and not on the lance. He lacks agggres-
siveness and initiative.
These men and Sagasta, with slightly
differing views as circumstances have
modifiedthem, have broughtthe Spanish
government tothe present pass without
adequate preparation along several i'm
portant lines.
Sagasta's declaration to his supporters
the day before the opening of parliament
had the ring of high courage but ii was
the utterance of an orator rather than
an administrator. He does not possess
the national confidence as a great leader
ought to have it to lead nation effec-
lively in such an hour.
No doubt the liberal government will
be retained in power for a time at least,
but were Spain to suffer a serious naval
reverse as the result Of a lack of coal or
of some such ma terial precaution as
would be easily traced by the people at
large TO a lack of ministerial foresight,
the nation would insist upon an abrupt
change of administration.
In that event General Dominguez
might be called to the helm. or. for that
matter. Marshal Campos. In any event
the new cabinet would be national cabi-
net. without regard to party lines. But
the question is: Gould even that save
the highest interests-the CROWN"