The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18

HIS Enemies Determined He Shall
Drain the Nations Gun of Woe.


Drain the Nations Cup of Woe.
NEW YORK, Sept. IA dispatch TO the
Tribune from Madrid (via Paris) says: TT
IS bitter disappointment to Premier Sa-
gasta that he has failed to get for Spanish
peace commissioners representative men of
all parties, to give it a national character
over and above sectional politics. In spite
of all his promises and persuasion, the pre-
mier has been unable to obtain the consent
of any statesman outside of his own imme-
date followers who are willing to act on
the commission, where, to use an expression
OF Senior Silvela, Spain can employ nothing
but empty words and parallels to oppose
any demands the American commissioners
may see fit to make The sitting of the
Cortes, and especially Count Almanass vio-
lent onslaught upon the generals, which are
said to be Endorsed by numbers of younger
officers of the army are regarded as fore
shadowing events of far graver Importance
that cannot be avoided after the signing
of the peace treaty. The sole point upon
which all parties here now seem to agree
is that Senior Sagasta must remain in power
until the conclusion of peace and thereby
drink the dregs of the cup which his enc
mics maintain he has himself brewed.
THE alleged intention of the United
States to demand the island of Luzon is re-
garded by the Madrid Foreign Office as an
infringement on the spirit of the peace
protocol If Spain is compelled to cede that
island to the United States, great efforts
VIII be made to retain the right to deter
mine the disposal of all the other Philip
pine islands with the view of eventually
abandoning them altogether. On this point
II is even asserted that an arrangement
Is under discussion with Germany by which
Germany would get, by way of brokers
commission Palawa and Subic.
In reference to the Philippines, it is sig
niflcant that the drift of opinion among
the members of the Cortes is that if Spain
must cede to the United States anything
would then be preferable to withdraw Span
ish sovereignty entirely. Among civilians
wisest policy, especially now that military
men, like Senior Polavieja, say that under
the new situation permanent garrison of
at least $4,000 men would be required to
hold the islands, and that to maintain such
force would be too severe a tax on the
national resources.
I'm diplomatic circles here great conf
dence is felt that the Spanish peace COM
missioners will succeed in saddling upon
Cuba that portion of Cuban debt incurred
previous to the last insurrection and which
is said to be guaranteed by the Cuban GUS
toms receipts.
The internal political situation is more
dismal than the military leaders think. AL
though they presented a solid front during
the recent session of the CorteS, they are
IN reality OlVlQ6Q among themselves. Inc
Queen Regent has already discounted Senior
Sagasta's eventual retirement and pins her
faith in Senior Polavieja, whose lack of
political experience will be supplied by
Senior Silvela or Senior Canalejas. They are
ready to join hands with Senior Leon Cas-
tillo, who during his present stay in Madrid
has been almost hourly consulted by the
Queen Regent.
ut is impos sble to longer conceal the fact
that the military leaders are now pre-
pairing to act as soon as peace is signed.
General Weyler never misses opportuni-
ty to discredit the dynasty, and is bitterly
opposed to Senior Polavieja. Weyler is be-
leved to be aiming at an outright dictator
ship in his own personal interest, and is
known to have promised the highest and
most lucrative places to his military follow
ers. The Queen, however, is firmly con-
WINGED that Polavieja will, when the time
comes. prove more than match for Wey-
Ter. The great danger in the situation is
that military element is considered as offer
ing the only solution of the present difficult
ties, which party passion has so embittered
that cool-headed men fear an era of pro-
nunciamentos dictatorship and civil war"