Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-20
CASTILLO MAY NOT ACCEPT
Says he Can Serve Spain Better as Ambas-
sador to France.
He Has Great Influence at Paris and
Understands European Dip
lomacy Thoroughly.

The Madrid correspondent of the London
Times in a dispatch yesterday says: "Senor
Leon V Castillo has again telegraphed Senior
Sagasta. developing reasons already adj
vanced why he might be more useful in his
present position as ambassador to France
than as a member of the government.
This dispatch has considerably impressed
the cabinet. Recent events, especially Mr.
Chamberlain's speech at Birmingham, lave
opened up new political horizons. Spanish
statesmen anticipate the possibility of
universal conflagration wherein Spain
would find efficient allies. Their eyes natu-
rally turn toward France and Russia.
therefore it seems important that Spain
should be represented at Paris by an am
pasSador well acquainted with the tangled
skein of European diplomacy and a persona
grata to the French government 1t is be-
lieved that Senior Leon Castillo will fulfill
these conditions. Hence Senior Sagasta's
hesitation to recall him. On the other
hand. it is difficult to find in the ranks of
the liberal party a man equally qualified
for the foreign office portfolio"
The Madrid correspondent of the Stand
ard says: Senior Sagasta will make
statement of the policy of the new cabinet
tomorrow Friday. The republicans and
Carlists intend to obstruct the budget
til the end of June. The premier's conten-
ton is that policy must be dictated by the
march of events and must, therefore, be
opportunist in domestic matters and inter-
national questions, while devoting all it's
energies to the requirements of the war;.
The Paris correspondent Of the Times
says: .''Senor Leon Castillo. the Spanish
ambassador. will start for Madrid tomor-
row F'riday) to talk over the cabinet stu
alton with Senior Sagasta."
The Madrid correspondent of the Stand
ard. telegraphing before news of Castillo's
declination was known. says:
No appointment. however. is more popu-
lar than that of Senior Leon Castillo
who leaves the Paris embassy to direct the
foreign policy of Spain at moment when
great deal from its diplomacy toward
averting minimizing the consequences
of the war through the mediation of the
continental powers, whose disposition
Senior Leon Castillo is supposed to have
become acquainted with in Paris. His sue
cessor will probably be Senior Moret or
Senior Lopez Dominguez.
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
News says: "Senor Leon Castillo cxer-
cises an influence over the French press
and knows exactly on what conditions
France can help Spain. l fancy the new
deal was undertaken to give him the for
eign portfolio without attracting too much
attention.
Senior Gamazo is a Castilian protection
ate and an eminent financial authority, not
at all unlikely to succeed Sagasta in process
of time at the head of the cabinet He is
sanguine man in politics, and is what
bull is on the stock exchange. Republicans
and Carlists are moderated by him. He
does not underrate the ability. of the re-
publican leaders, but he says Senior Pi is
too old for the Queen Regent to be afraid
of him, and Professor Salmeron, he de-
clares. has only handful of clever men
behind him.
AS for the Carlists, the Queen Regent
has enlisted the pope on her side; yet he
forgets that the pope is opportunist AMI
will accept any regime able to maintain it
self. He also forgets that favorite idea
of his holiness is a republican federation,
under his general presidency. of Italy,
France, Spain, Portugal and perhaps Bel
GUM. This idea was put forward four
years ago in different reviews and newspa-
pers under the auspices of the French for
eien office