Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-08
SPANISH STATESMEN
Harshly Criticize the Governments
War Measures.
OPPOSED TO A SECRET SITTING.

Senior Salmeron, the Republican Lead
or. Declares That His Party Is DE
termined to Violate the secrecy
which the Government Imposes"
Madrid, Sept. 8.-The chamber has
followed the senate in discussing the
late war behind closed doors. This
action has caused the greatest sem
sation. immediately after the meet
ing Senior Salmeron. the republican
leader, moved that an investigation be
made into the responsibility of Senior
Sagasta's government in connection
with the declaration of war, the nego-
tiations for peace and the violation OF
the constitution by the suspension of
the guarantees.
The premier, Senior Sagasta, quickly
asked that the deliberations be con-
Quoted behind closed doors, and the
president pronounced favorably on the
request. Thereupon the Republicans
and Conservatives vehemently protest.
ed, and, amid an indescribable con-
fusion, the doorkeepers cleared the gall
leries of spectators, the deputies in the
meantime shouting uproariously.
The senate session also was a
stormy one. Generals Weyler, Donin>
guez, AZcarraga, Palejo and Rivera at
tended. General Weyler reminded the
senate of how Count D'Almenas had
greeted the returning officers. He de-
clared that this was reflection upon
the officers efficiency
The mist es made in Cuba are not
to be blamed upon the army he said,
"but upon the politicians at the head
of the government" The latter. he de-
clared, were responsible for not send
ing supplies to the armies in Cuba and
Porto Rico and, indeed, for completely
war and marine ought to have resign
ed" he continued. Had the army
been properly equipped it would not
have failed. 1t would have been better
for Admiral Cerveras squadron to re-
main at the Canaries. for no practical
end was served by sending the ships to
Santiago.
What measures did the government
take to protect the squadron" General
Weyler asked holly. THE response
bilities for the surrender of Santiago
rested wholly upon the government in
stead of General Toral." General Wey-
Ter strongly condemned the secret ses-
sions of the cortes, and concluded his
speech as follows: Il desire to speak
to all Spain, and not merely to the
government
Count D'Almenas, replying to Gen
eral Weyler's structure, said: IT adj
dressed my greetings to those who have
been martyrs for their country-to the
Spanish soldiers, because they deserv-
ed such greetings. 1 did not address
the generals. for they showed them
selves incapable of leading soldiers tc
battle or of showing them how to fall
worthily on the field
Marshal Prime de Rivera shouted
THAT is not true" and General WeyIel
and others Joined in the protest.
Count D'AImenas, addressing Gen
eral Rivera, replied: II am moi
afraid of such cries or of epaulets or OF
the decorations that will have to be
torn off the breasts of several officers
The sashes of some generals should be-
torn off and put around their necks."
The moment the president of the
chamber ordered the doors closed Senol
Salmeron cried out: II solemnly prom
Use the country that the Republicans
will publish all the deliberations of the
secret sittings. for we are determined
to violate the secrecy which the gov
eminent imposes"
Ultimately the Republican and Car
list deputies quilted the chamber as
protest against the secret sitting
They held a meeting later, but failed
to arrive at an agreement
The chamber, by a vote of 102 against
As, resolved to discuss Senior Salmer-
on's motion for an investigation into
the responsibility of the government in
connection with the war, but in the
absence of the Republican and Carlist
deputies debate was impossible, and
the house adjourned