Evening journal., 1898-05-19
.SPAIN'SNEW CABINET
Sagasta Has a Hard Time
Getting Ministers.
CAMAzO'S ACCEPTANCE A SURPRISE.
Now Ministry Considered Stronger Thar
tho old One-No Programme Yet
Adopted Cabinet WIN Prob
ably BE Short Lived.

LONDON, May 19.-The Madrid cor
respondent Of The Times, commenting
upon the surprise felt that Senior Ga
mazo has been induced to enter the new
cabinet. says:
"He consented on the condition that
he should take only the portfolio Of
public works. which carries but a lim-
tied amount Of official responsibility in
great political questions. Senior Aunon
was already indicated by public opinion
as the ablest man for the navy. SenOr
Sagasta had considerable trouble also
to override the objections TO entering
the cabinet raised by Senor Leon y Cas-
lilo.
Everything tends 10 confirm the
opinion / expressed some days ago as
J 10 the real significance OF the reorgani-
cation of the cabinet. For the moment
all idea OF seeking open negotiations
with a view Of terminating the war is
abandoned. / venture 10 predict that
II Will not be revived until 1t is recOg-
nIzed by the public generally, and in
military circles especially. that every
thing has been done which the require
ments Of national honor demand.
when that moment win arrive, It Is
| impossible 10 foresee. All that can be
said at present Is that II Will depend
on the course of naval and military op-
| eratlons. Meanwhile Il must be rec
Z ognized that the cabinet has been
/ strengthened by reconstruction. because
! IL is now homogeneous. and with one
exception. that Of Senior Moret, all the
! retiring ministers are succeeded by
/ stronger men.
/ "The accession of Senior Gamazo will
! not only add to the administrative ef-
Efficiency of the government. but viii
/ also fortify its parliamentary position.
/ on the occasion OF the kings birthday
/ an enormous number Of congratulatory
/ kilograms was received az the palace
among them one from several mem
/ bers Of the British parliament signed
/ by Sir Howard Vincent"
! The Madrid correspondent Of The
/ Daily Mail says:
"Senor GamazO was especially desir-
/ Gus of seeing Senor Leon y Castillo for
eign minister. considering the impor-
! tant diplomatic matters likely 20 come
promptly to the front Senior Leon >
Castillo enjoys excellent diplomatic re-
latlons with the other powers, and this
would be advantageous In case opposi-
/ tlon should be organized to any Anglo
/ Saxon alliance.
1T is considered that. in case of in
/ ternational complications, England
would run the risk OF a renewed at
/ tempt OF Ireland 10 secure independ-
ence. The cabinet met Last night and
/ resolved On the proposal * Senior Ga
mazo not TO Identity itself with or ac-
cept responsibility for the acts OF the
last ministry NO political programme
has been formed by the cabinet. since
I circumstances do not permit Il. The
cabinet win undoubtedly be- short lived
In this All those acquainted with Span
ish politics agree. With the exception
of Senior Gamazo It IS not composed ot
eminent mcu. noT even of men of pres
tiRe and Influence. Senor GamazO him
self has taken care TO remove the ide;
that by accepting office no takes re
| sponslbility for what the ministers VIII,
have just left Office had done. This &C
ton of his cannot be agreeable TO tn,
| ministers who have remained in ofncl
and who, whatever declarations thel
make, cannot repudlate their soldarit!
with those who have just resigned.
Besides that, though Senor Gamaz
[ Is the most important member of tn
! new cabinet, no has taken the most in
significant portfolio, public works, in
struction. agriculture and commerce
the portfolio generally reserved for be
glnners. Everything seems 60 indi
cate that he has taken office only be
cause he thought he ought not TO refus
to help the Liberal party in the crtica
circumstances through which Spain /
passing. But all the symptoms shoy
that the new cabinet Is simply an a.
interim government patched up Z
await events and. If events are not sal
isfactory, 70 give way Immediately {
more powerful government compose
Y of elements which IT would be unwlse Z
/ waste