Evening journal., 1898-05-20
CASTILLO DECLINES.
Spanish Minister at Paris Will
Not Enter Cabinet.
SPAIN LOOKS FOR UNIVERSAL WAR.
Castillo Thinks He Can Make France an
Ally of Spain In the General Confa-
Gration-Hope of Disinterested
intervention Is Abandoned.

Intervention Is Abandoned.
LONDON, May 2O-The Madrid corre-
Bpondent of The Times says:
"Senor Leon y Castillo has again wir-
ed Senior Sagasta developing the rea-
sons already advanced why he might
be more useful in his present position
MS ambassador to France than as a
member OF the government. This dis
patch has considerably impressed the
cabinet.
Recent events, especially Mr. Cham
berlain's speech at Birmingham, have
opened up new political horizons. Span
lsh statesmen anticipate the possibility
of a universal confagration wherein
Spain would find efficient allies. Their
eyes naturally turn toward France and
Russia
Therefore it seems important that
Spain should be represented at Pares by
an ambassador well acquainted with the
tangled skein Of European diplomacy
and persona grata to the French gov
ernment 1t is believed that Senor Leon
y Castillo will fulfill these conditions.
Hence. Senior Sagasta's hesitation to re-
call him. On the other hand, IT Is diff
cult TO find in the ranks of the Liberal
party a man equally qualified for the
foreign office portfolio. 1 do not ven
ture to predict the final decision.
Meanwhile II is announced that the
cabinet council yesterday decided 20
strengthen Immediately the defenses
and garrisons in the Canary and Ba-
learic islands and at Ceuta, Marocco,
opposite Gibraltar. a decision which is
very significant, as no apprehensions
have been entertained that the United
States would extend the operations of
the war 70 the Mediterranean.
During the last few days hopes OF
disinterested Intervention by the pow
ers have almost disappeared, It being
recognized that the powers are too
much divided among themselves. This
being the case. 1t IS asked whether
/ Spain ought not TO stimulate friendly
| feelings in the case of one or more pow
ers by holding out the prospect Of some
material advantage. The Idea Is as yet
/ embryonic, but It may easily develop
into something definite"
The Madrid correspondent of The
Daily Mail, commenting upon the great
activity displayed in strengthening the
coast defenses of Spain, says:
Special naval and military vigilance
| committees have been formed TO watch
| the approaches TO the harbors The
reasons for this are unknown, but pos
sibly there are fears Of an American ma
val raid or there Is a prospect of Eu-
ropean complications. Captain Aunon
the newly designated minister of ma
rine, who favors an active policy, espe
cially IN the Philippines, has had Ions
conferences today Thursday with Ad
miral Bermejo, whom he'will succeed.
The Paris correspondent Of Tho Times
says:
"Senor Leon Y Castillo. the Spanish
ambassador, will start for Madrid to
7 morrow (Frday) TO talk over the cabi
} net situation with Senor Sagasta-"
The Madrid correspondent of tn
} Daily News says:
The Spanish correspondents say tina
/ Gibraltar has received within a fort
night 100, 900 tons of coal and large quan
} titles of ammunition. The new Spanis
I | cabinet nearly came 10 grief on Seno
2 Gamazo's demand that Il should no
? be bound by the outgoing ministry. Th
government intends TO increase tn
means Of defense Of territories exposes
TO foreign greed and is considering tn
q necessity Of keeping a base Of opera
tons in Spain.
I'm the Philippines a majority Of tn
, people are loyal, and the Americans AM
their few native allies are unable &
conquer another acre Of soil Spain vii
therefore keep at home the 1000 troop
intended for the Philippines until fur
ther notice and will Immediately SEN
the Cadiz reserve squadron TO Manill
10 chastise Dewey"