New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-17
GRAVE SITUATION IN SPAIN.
BELIEF THAT TURMOIL IN THE CORlES
FORESH ADOWS TROUBLE.
TALK OF ABANDONING THE PHILIPPINES
sAGAsTA's DISAPPOINTMENT OVER
THE CHARACTER OF SPANS
PEACE COMMISSION.
Gpv CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE. J

[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Paris Sent 16-The following advices
received by mail to-day from The Tribune's cor
respondent In Madrid:
1t is bitter disappointment to Premier Sa-
gasta that he has failed TO get for Spanish Peace
Commissioners representative men Of ALL parties
10 give it national character over and above
sectional politics In spite of all his promises
and persuasion. the Premier has been unable to
obtain the consent of any statesmen outside OF
his own immediate followers who are willing TO
act on the Commission. where. to use an EXPIRES
sion of Senor silvela Spain can employ nothing
but empty words and parallels to oppose any de-
mands the American Commissioners may see NJ
10 make"
Tho sittirgs ~ the Cortes and especially Count
Almenas's violent onslaught upon the generals
which are said to be indorsed by numbers or
Younger officers Of the army. are regarded as
roreshadov-inC events Of FAR graver importance
that cannot be avoided after the signing OF the
peace treaty The sol" point upon when all par
ties here now seem to agree is that Senor Sa-
gasta must remain in power until the conclusion
Of peace end thereby drink the dregs OF the cup
which his enemies maintain he has hmsel
brewed
The alleged intention of the United states 10
demand the island Of Luzon is regarded oy the
Madrid Foreign Once as an infringement upon
the spirit Of the peace protocol II Spain Is COLI
peled 10 ccde tha, island 10 the United states
great efforts viii he made 10 retain the rlght 10
determine the disposal Of all the other Phlppihe
islands with the view of eventually apando'iHe
them altogether.
AN ARRANGEMENT WITH GERMANY.
on this point IT is even asserted that an ar
rarearrant t. under discussion with Germany by
which Germany would get. by way Of bro
ker's commission" Palawan and Suu
In reference to the Philippines it is significant
that the drift Of opinion among the members or
tho Cortes is that II Spain must cede 20 ''e
United states ANYTHING more than A mere coal
ing station there II would then he prelera-
bio 10 withdraw Spanish sovereignty en'Te'y'
Among civilians outright abandonment Is con
sdered the wisest policy. especially no" 'nd'
military men Ike Senor Polavieja say 'hi'
under the now situation a permanent garrison
- at east sixty thousand men would De re-
ouired 20 hold tho islands. and that TO MAINTAIN
such a force would he too severe tax on the
national resources
In Diplomatic circles here great commence -
felt that the Spanish Peace Commissioners VIII
succeed In saddling upon cuba thar portion u
cuban debt incurred previous 60 the last IN
-urr4ction. and which IS said 10 he guaranteed
by the Cuban customs receipts
INTERNAL SITUATION DISMAL.
The internal political situation IL more dismal
,,.- tho --ili,arv leaders think Although they
nroseoted a solid front during the recent session
-, ~. C,rtes they are in reality divided among
themselves
r.. oua,n Pegent has already discounted
c.sor s,gosta's eventual retirement. ana pins
her faith in Senior Polavieia. whose lacN Vi
,.,li,ioal experierce viii be supplied hy Seho'
st,ola or senor Caraleias They are reaiy 10
,,ir hands with Senor Leon Castillo VINO
ayr,,g his present stay IN Madrid. has been
almost hourly consulted hy the Queen Regent
II ,s irpos.ihie longer - conceal inc 1dc'
,,., tho military LEADERS, arc nov preparing Z"
40, ,. s,or as nAace Is signed General Weyler
,.,.r ,,iaeas an OPPORTUNITY n discredi' the
A,.r,s,, ard is bitterly opposed 20 Senor fola-
,.iota Wev'or is believed 10 be aiming AZ an
,,,Sirhf dictatorship in his own persona III
,,e. and is known - have PROMISED Inv
,,,-,.et and most lucrative places 10 his mill
TOR, followers The Queen however is nrn''S
cor,ircod that Polavieia will. when the une
,.o,,es rrov4 more than match for Weyler'
rbe great danger in tho sitl alton Is that inc
,,,,i,,r, clement Is considered as offering 'he
,,,. so,,,io- ~ the present difficulties, wnch
rartv nassion has so emb!ttered that cooi-
headed men fear an era OF prohu"'
dictatorship and civil war