The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-23

LONDON, May 23.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Daily Telegraph says: One
point OF interest In the reconstruction Of
the cabinet lies in the obstinate refusal
of Senor Leon Castillo 10 accept the
foreign secretaryship. Every considera-
tion has been brought TO bear in vain.
His first reply to the premier's request
expressed the convictions that the inter-
ests of Spain could be best served by his
remaining At Paris. Senior Sagasta an
swered, pointing out that the head of the
government was the best judge of the in
terests of the fatherland. and insisting
upon the ambassadors acceptance. To
the surprise Of everybody the ambassador
persisted I'm his refusal, and promised In
a personal interview TO prove TO Senor
! Sagasta that 1t would be grave mistake
| for him to leave Paris.
am enabled 10 state that the amhassa-
doris motive for refusing was the follow
ing:
Senior Sagasta's cabinet is py its own
formal dec.ara ton determined to carry
on the war with all possible v:gor where
as Senior Leon y Castillo Is aware that
Spain's friends among the powers. France
in particular. are resolved to insist upon
her suing for peace at the first favorable
moment. France possessed a twofold in
terest In having peace concluded-finan-
cial and political. The former would be
severely damaged II Spain were ruined,
and the latter will suffer IL the United
States retain permanent possession or the
Philippines.
The leading idea which ac;uates the
statesmen responsible for the political
scheme favored by Senior Leon Castillo
Is that as Spain must be defeated in the
long run. it Is advisable to save as much
as possible from destruction ard that the
sooner peace is concluded the more toler-
able will be the terms acqwesced in by
the United States.
The most important OF these terms in
the eyes of Spa!ns friends and protect
ors. is the possession of the Philippines,
which can be utilized for further political
combinations later.
To become a member Of war cabinet,
therefore. at the very moment when the
friendly great powers are resolved to
press upon Spain a speedy peace. appears
impruGent TO Senor Leon Y Castillo. who
IS in possession OF all the threads OF the
negotiations. Senior Sagas,a's cabinet is
certainly in promise OF gaining popularity
with the country by prosecuting the war
10 the bitter end. but 1t is highly improh-
able that heretofore having followed the
advice OF the continental powers. it
viii refuse 10 accept counsel OF peace
proffered under the promise OF the
future. and especially II the United States
valves all claims to the Philippines
Spaln's Importance as a political factor in
the far East IS now thoroughly under
stood. and everything possible wi, be
done 20 gsgin time and profit by II. Her po-
sitIon as a Mediterranean power. her IN
fuence in Morocco, her wei supplied land
ana sea forces. aud above all. her posses
sion Of TIE Philippines. constitutes the
political aspect of the situation. The first
and most important step AT present. there
fore, is to utilize the most propItious mo-
men5 for concluding peace. on rhe bas.s
oI spaia's retentian ot the Philippines.
When thar time has come-and It is be-
heyei 20 ne very rear. now thar the Span
ish squadron IS 4, Sant3agc-Spain VIII
he asked 70 propose pour parleurs. and
friendly efforts Wi! he made 10 induce
,he United States 70 rest satisfied with
Cuban Independence or with annexation.
and 70 abandon the scheme Of retaining
permanently or occupying temporarily the
Philippines These are the grave consid-
era,ions which determined seaor Castillo.
who is parliamentary party politician.
10 insist upon remaining as ambassador
20 Paris.