Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-26
SESSION OF THE CORTES LIKELY TO
BE A LIVELY ONE.
THE OPPOSITION is DELIGHTED
1T CONSIDERS THAT ITS HOUR OF
RECKONING HAS COME.
Alleged Blunders of the Liberal Min.
istry to BE Discussed mt Length
Return of the Santiago
Prisoners Causes Small
Excitement.

LONDON, Aug. 26-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Standard says:
Nothing can better illustrate the Coun-
try's weariness and disillusion than the
small excitement caused by the return Of
the repatriated troops. OF the 225,0p0 men
who have left Spain for the Antilles since
March, 1895, 5000 have perished in Cuba,
70, coo have been sent home invalided and
the remainder are returning to be disband-
ed after receiving a portion of their nine
months arrears of pay.
This clever stroke Of policy on the part
of the government will, it is thought. avert
the dangers that otherwise might have eX-
listed of the discontented army being made
the tools of military or political intriguers
and Carlists. There are forty-three gener-
, ais and 5000 other officers on the active
list. For these it is proposed that the num-
ber of line regiments shall be increased.
THE government has very literally pro-
vided hospital and other accommodations
for the returning troops and private sub
scrptions are pouring in from various
parts of Spain also for the assistance OF
the sick soldiers.
THE Carlist and republican papers and
opposition organs of every shade, incluoihS
the Conservative and Independent Journals.
openly show delight at the convocatlon OF
the cortes 1t is their firm belief that the
days of the Liberal government are num-
bered. They also announce that the oppo-
sition considers that its hour OF reckoning
has come. The opposition will not allow the
government to close the session as quickly
as Senior Sagasta farcies or may desire.
His opponents they add, are determined to
discuss all the acts of the cabinet before
and during the war, and there will be pro-
longed debates.
Some papers are even laboring under
the delusion that the cortes can discuss
the contemplated instructions to the peace
commissioners.
"A part of the session will be devoted
to ways and means. The treasury is al
ready becoming very empty. Even many
friends of the cabinet consider the convo-
cation of the cortes a mistaken act Of
weakness, fraught with consequences
which will prove undesirable and incon-
vcnient, both in home politics and in rela-
tions with the United States
The Madrid correspondent of the Times
says:
THE convocation of the cortes for Sep
tember indicates that Senor Sagasta had
to capitulate to a majority of his col
leagues. The chief advocate of the early
assembling of the cortes was the minister
of justice, Senor Groisaro. recognized
authority on intricate questions.
'1he peace cOnQltlOnS are tnuS lateQ 10
pass twice through the fire of parliament
airy dtscussion-trst in embryonic state, as
DEFINED in the protocol. and subsequently
in fully developed treaty form.
1T is stated that the government will
insist upon the prorogation during the sit
tingS in Paris of the peace commission.
The press halls this solution as a VIC
tory for genuine constitutionalism over
what Ell impartial describes as Dictator.
ship of impotence There are many indi-
cations that the session will be extremely
lively. The government will have to justi-
fy the suspension of the constitution and
the press censorship, and there is no doubt
that the orators of the chamber will make
strenuous efforts to rouse the nation from
its culpable lethargy.
Prolonged discussions on the chief Incl
dents of the war are probable. and awk-
ward questions will be asked regarding the
| responsibility for blunders.
THE discussion of the protocol is also
likely to be prolonged and animated, but
ance, because the fate of the Antilles is
irrevocable and the Philippines question
Paris commission meets. The bishop of
Tarragono, in a pastoral. and many news
| papers and clergy deplore the rage through
out the country for amusements which
eliminated in the usual spectacle of women
acting as toreadors in a bullfight here. a
thing most inappropriate when the coun-
MADRID. Aug. 25.-The newspapers say
! the general public display considerable dis
gust at the haSty surrender of Santiago,
| since hearing the stories with regard to the
| adequate defensive conditions prevailing
| there. told by the repatriated soldiers who
| arrived yesterday at Corunna by the
| Spanish steamer Alicant
There have been six deaths among the
returned soldiers since their arrival, and
| many others are feared.
! special commission Is now meeting to
| decide upon the question of quarantine. The
military authorities have begun distribu-
/ tion of arrears Of pay to the repatriated
! troops.
The Gazette gives the Cuban war ex-
| penses from January l to June 3 as AT
| 1863. 40 pesetas.
| The queen regent presided at to-day s
| cabinet council. The home situation was
| discussed and Senor Sagasta. the premier.
| gave details of the capitulations of Ma
| Mia and Santiago, and explained the man.
| ner in which the Antilles will be evacu-
! ated.
The landing Of troops at Corunna con-
| tnued. The men present a piteous spec
| tacle. Eight died to-day.