Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-10
SENIOR sAGASTA DISCUSSES THE
WOES THAT ARE SPANS.
CRITICISM FOR OPPOSITION
"SPAIN DESOLATED AND RUINED BY
INTERNAL TROUBLES"
Don Carlos ssyerely Arraisns the
Spanish Ministry and Criticises
the Queen ReEent-Praise
for Weyler-Military
Rule Imminent.

London, May 10.-The Madrid correspond
| ent of the Morning Post has had long in
terview with Senior sagasta, the premier.
man said:
THE sad events at Manila have saddened
all Spaniards, but have not made them lose
heart. We can say with confidence of
this disaster that nothing has occurred to
wound our pride. Much has been said re-
garding the causes of the catastrophe. but
all the discussion has been beside the ques-
tion. The truth Is, we were too few, and
were overwhelmed by the great superiority
of the enemy's forces and by the fortunes
Of war. which. unhappily, went against
us. --L
I'm the present juncture there is no
time to lose. 1t is useless to debate. We
must reserve all our strength and all our
energy for tomorrow. Our first duty is
to unite, in order to vanquish our enemies
and to uphold the honor of Spain. It Is
necessary, to secure that end, for the gov
ernment to have the support Of all, without
considerations of party. and exclusively on
patriotic grounds. Parliament. too, must
grant the government the resources re-
quired.
Divisions I'm Parliament.
Now this is precisely what grieves me.
believed that the first cannon shot fired
by the United States against our troops
would be signal for the union and the
fraternity of the spaniards. as all are fully
affected by the assault Of the United States.
was mistaken. Certain parliamentarian
groups are in disagreement with the gov
ernment, and have the pretension to make
conditions in return for their support. They
thus paralyze our efforts and diminish the
strength which is indispensable to the
government. In such difficult times some
are even ceaselessiy intriguing. others are
full of reucence, and all has been, done
in the name Of the fatherland. Attempts
have even been made to assail the mon
archy, without their authors appearing to
imagine for a moment that this is simply
weakening the country, lowering the pres
tige Of the flag, tending to the discourage
ment of the troops and the encouragement
of our enemies.
.When our political adversaries attack
the government, when they criticise the
acts of the crown while war is proceeding.
they are committing a crime for which
some day they may have to answer before
the country.
Opposed to War ON Principle.
"On principle, am opposed to war. which
is always disastrous even to the victori-
Gus nation. God is my witness that did
not wish a rupture with the United States.
/ realized perfectly that we were exhaust
ed by the war which We have been waging
so long, and needed rest. On the contrary,
desired a peaceful solution which would
have protected our interests and honor,
our rights and sovereignty. The govern
ment did everything to avoid a conflict,
more even than it should have DONE When
out adversaries began to treat us with con-
tempt, war became inevitable. and We were
compelled to accept it with all its conse-
quences whatever they may be.
"The situation is very simple, and, un-
fortunately, cannot be concealed. Spain
is desolated and ruined by internal
troubles. The United States have coveted
Cuba for long time, firstly because it is
an excellent strategic point: second, SO as
to be masters of the inter-oceanic trade
To attain their object they have literally
hesitated at nothing. They knew the state
Of our finances and took advantage of 1t to
attack us. after having assisted the Cuban
insurrection, with a view to completing our
ruin. and, with cut and dried plan, de-
claring war as soon as they considered our
exhaustion sufficiently advanced.
Now that the struggle has begun, the
Americans continue the same tactics. In
stead of openly making war. they encour-
age in every way the troubles in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines. and If they
rnt9ld hav Syn,,11 Sff
in the peninsula. The future is in the
hands of God. None can foresee it." f-~-t .
Don Carlos Scores the Ministry.
Brussels, May 9.-Don Carlos, the Spanish
pretender, in the course Of a long interview
said:
When 1 left Venice, about the middle
of April had in contemplation a. desper-
ate and unquestionably hazardous enter
prise, unlikely, perhaps. to further my
own dynastic interests, but sure to force
the hands of the cowardly officials who are
shrinking from the responsibility Of up
holding vi Et Armis the integrity of. the
Spanish dominions. The declaration of war
made me pause. I found myself impera-
lively constrained to await events. Up to
the present, these have proved disastrous.
The incidents in Cuba and Manila have
revealed neglected defenses. venal admins
tration, prevalent substitution of per-
sonal for national interests, corruption con-
fessed by the government, generously voted
millions diverted from the fulfillment of
their patriotic purpose to the pockets of
fraudulent contractors and dishonest state
employees. and disorder, peculation and
mendacity In every department of the pub
lie service.
THE queen regent has been a mere pup
pet in the hands of incompetent and self
seeking ministers, blindly countenancing
their solicitations to European powers, and
even the pope, for mediation between ag-
gressor and aggressed. She has proved her
self fond mother. but feeble queen.
Queen Regent Criticised.
This is what Spaniards, in the extrem-
ity of their peril, resent; and they Justly
blame her for appealing to the people to
sustain the Alfonsist dynasty instead of
national honor. Being a foreigner, she
failed to understand the Spanish charac-
ter, and sounded the wrong note She
should have exhorted the Spaniards to
rally around Spain, and not around AL
fonso. 1t was not her only son, but
the country of her adoption, which should
have been, at least ostensibly, her first
consideration. As for Intervention on our
behalf by the powers, implored by her
at the instance of her weakened advisers.
had it been provided for in previous
treaties, or confidential ententes, there is
no true Spanish patriot who would not
have welcomed 1t with fervent joy; but to
solicit it with humiliating entreaty at the
eleventh hour was manifestiy incompati-
BILE with our national point d'honneur.