The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-25
Increase of 20 Per Cent. I'm All Tax
to Meet War Expenses
SPAIN IN A BAD CONDITION
BREAD QUESTION HURRYING THE
COUNTRY TOWARDS REVOLUTION.
All the Wheat Bought Up by specuIa-
tors-MOre Talk About Interfer-
ence by the Powers.

MADRID, May A-The same mysterious
silence reigns in official circles tonight as
last night. The government dscloses moth
ing from the seat of war. La Correspond
encia Espana observes: "An unexplained
feeling of despondeacy is noticeable. As no
bad news has been received we can only
suggest that this feeling is caused by fears
of prolongation of the war"
In the Chamber OF Deputies. to-day,
Senor Puigcerver, minister of finance, re-
plying to the criticisms OF Marquis De VII
vedvarde, Conservative, with respect to the
financial policy of the government, repudi-
ated the charge of want of foresight and
asserted that Spains finances were in
satisfactory condition, assuring the pay
ment of all the expenses of the war" Senior
Puigcerver said that in view OF the impos-
sibility of negotiating loans abroad there
was no means of raising funds to contsnue
the war except by an extension of the Bank
OF Spain's note issue which, however, did
not imply a forced paper currency. He pro-
posed, he said, to convert the treasury's
floating debt. now nearly 5OO00O, 900 pesetas.
into small denomination treasury bonds
He explained the proposed conversion Of the
external debt, but avoided any allusion TO
the proposed tax on the national debt Senior
per cent. increase in all taxation, including
that on agriculture.
Duke Almedovar de Rio has accepted the
portfolio of minister of foreign affairs. of,
fered to but declined by Senior Leon Chs
tillo, the Spanish ambassador at Paris The
duke informed the correspondent OF the As
sociated Press that he does not desire the
office, but accepts 1t on patriotic grounds
The new minister added: Every Spaniard
is bound TO devote all his powers to the de-
fense of the country
The Duke Almedevar de Rio is we'll known
in England where he was educated and
where he often visits during the hunting
season After taking the oath as minister
for foreign affairs he had a long csfiveT-
sation with Senor Leon Castillo, the Span
ish ambassador to France NJ Schevitch.
the Russian ambassador to Spain, was the
first member of the diplomatic corps to call
on the new minister. Duke Almedevar de
Rio is forty-ive years of age. very active.
we'll informed and highly educated. He has
held various official positions including the
vice presidency of the Chamber of Depu-
ties. Though he had no experience in the
Foreign Office, he is thoroughly versed in
financial and commercial matters, the work
of treaty negotiations and the like; and he
is expected to show initiative energy in his
new post.
1t is believed Senior Gamazo, the present
minister of public instruction and Liberal
leader, will replace Senor Puigcerver now
minister of finance, who has absolutely de-
clined in the Cortes to agree to an income
tax and who is, consequently, expected to
resign. Senior Gamazo favors the proposed
impost. 1t is said that the concentration OF
Spanish troops in the neighborhood of Glib
raltar is due to an increase in the British
military preparations.
The Liberal, Premier Sagastas organ,
says that the diverging interests of the
powers preclude, for the present. any def
mite prompt diplomatic action giving Spain
powerful European backing.