The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-05-07
IN THE SPANISH CONGRESS
MINISTER FOR THE COLONIES ZIG.
 OROUsLY DEFENDS THRONE.
Should Not be Blamed for the Policy of Different Governments-The Responsi. bility, the Minister Declares, Rests as the Burden of All-Believed Until ina Very Last That There Would be no War --seriously Prepared for War at Last.

very Last Ihat There Would be no War
 -seriously Prepared for War at Last.
 Madrid, May 6.-10 D. m.-In the con- gress to-day Senor Morel, minister for the colonies, in a speech regarded as the best in his political career and re- peatedly interrupted by enthusiastic cheering, insisted that the throne "oc- cupied briefly by a young and promis- ing monarch and afterward by his widow and child, must not be blamed for the policy of different govern ments." The responsibility rested, he declared, as the burden of all; and each should bear his share instead of try ing to shift the blame to neighbor.
 He defended autonomy as granted to
 Cuba, generously under the friendly advice of the powers in order to de- prive the Americans of a pretext to fo-
 ment discontent and rebellion.'' Autonomy, he maintained, had achiev-
 ed conciliation and improved the eco- homie situation.
 He pointed, as a proof of it's success above all others, to the loyal friend-
 snip and assistance of the Cubans in
 the present war against the United
 States" With regard to the question
 of unpreparedness, Senor Morel candida
 " confessed that he believed until the very last that war would not come, as he
 considered the Americans were "inca-
 pablo of attacking Spain without the
 slightest cause"; but when convinced
 that the United States was bent upon despoiling Spain," then with the entire
 cabinet, he seriously prepared to repel any attack, purchasing and fitting out
 warships and procuring war material irrespective of cost' resolving to
 make a strong stand and converting a peace-loving into warlike cabinet.' In pathetic terms Senor Morel clear ed himself of the charges of a press
 which was, he said, trying to load all
 the sins of the nation" upon him. He | asserted that he yielded to none in pa
 triotism and was always acting to se-1 cure what he thought best for his
 countrys welfare. In conclusion, he
 appealed to the patriotism of the na-I tion and the chamber to "assist and advise the government in it's defense of rights. and honor of Spain," a task
 which was ''the work of all, with the collective responsibility of the lfministry. to the cortes and the nation, ,s Senor Morel resumed his seat <annfd 1 thunders of applause. Deputies crowd- ed around him and loaded him with congratulations
 Senor Cassel, (editor of the Inpar- .ciaD, withdrew his proposal for the | impeachment of Admiral Bermejo, the | minister of marine, and Admiral Ber- anger, minister of marine, in the cab- | inet of the late Senor Canovas. Senor | Morel challenged a direct vote of confi- | dence, declaring that the government would resign if 1t were not carried. | In the senate to-day Senor Puigcer- yer refused any explanations as to the
 war intentions of the government Tn reply to a question whether measures | had been taken in view of the industrial | crisis arising from the dimunitionl of
 the stock of coal, Senor Puigcerver 1 said the government was inquiring into l the question and, if necessary, would prevent the exportation of coal. Tn the congress Senor Capdepon. minister of 1 the interior, asked the deputies to sus- | pend judgment as to the Manila en-
 gagement until detailed reports had | been received.