The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-01
CHANGE IN SPAIN'S CoRTES.
NEW PARLIAMENT is TO MEET ON
APRIL 20.

New Election Cannot Occur UntiI
Forty Days After the Dissolution
OF the Old Cortes-senOr DubOsc
Confident the Liberals VIII BE
Able to Retain Their Control
Other Men in Public Life at WASH
ingtOn Not So Sure.
Washington. Feb. 2S.--The state depart
ment to-day received the following from
Minister Woodford:
Decree dissoving Spanish Cortes Feb.
%. New Cortes will meet April 25."
The dissolution of the Cortes had been
expected, and it may be followed by impor-
tant results.
The Sagasta ministry now in power, is
LiberalIts retention in power means much
at the present juncture, for 1t was on
the advent of the Sagasta regime that
Gen. Weyler was recalled, the reconcen-
trado DEGREES were annulled and the pres
ent plan of autonomy put in force The
policy now being pursued by Gen. Blanco
in Cuba is an entire reversal of that un-
der the conservative regime of Premier
Canovas and his successor, and it is felt
that the continuance of this policy is no
less at stake than the ministry itself in
the outcome of the present elections.
Senior Dubosc, the Spanish charge daft
faires, has received official notification of
the dissolution of the Cortes, but he says
this was expected. as the work of the
present Cortes was concluded Under the
laws of Spain forty days must expire be-
fore the election of the new Cortes occurs.
Mr. Dubose who is himself a Liberal and
a warm supporter of the Sagasta ministry,
says there is no doubt the result will be
the return of a Liberal majority in the
Cortes, and the consequent continuance of
the present ministry. All parties of late
| have given loyal aid to the Liberal minis
try, and its policy toward Cuba, and the
| present time is regarded by Mr.. Dubosc as
| auspicious for a calm campaign, which he
| asserts, will continue the present author
| tiles in power. He says there Is no sig
| nificance in the dissolution at this time
In other quarters it is felt that the Con-
servatives may take this opportunity TO
regain the reins of government by making
| a campaign against the Cuban policy of
| the Sagasta regime. The Weyler element
| is a growing factor in Spanish affairs, and
| it is expected that the Weylerites either
! will cast their influence with the ConserV-
! atives, who sent Gen. Weyler to Havana,
or else make their appearance as dis
tinct political organization, representative
of the army and navy and the martial
spirit in general To a considerable extent
the contest will be between the war ele-
ment and peace element
Elections will be held, not only in Spain,
! but also in Cuba and Porto Rico. How
| ever. this should not be confounded with
| the local elections of cuba under the plan
| of autonomy. The present election will be
| confined entirely to the choice of dele
gates 10 the imperial parliament, and will
not be a part of the autonomous plan for
a local government Of Cuba.
| In the election of April q, Cuba will Sc
! let's lis usual quota to the Spanish Cortes,
under the same system of suffrage that
| has long prevailed. The new Cortes will
meet Immediately after the election, prob
| ably May l. While no date has been fixed,
| it is known in advance the new body must
| assemble in order to pass the budget,
which, by law, must be completed by July
| l. This will give brief time for comp,et-
ing the extensive supply bills within the
time prescribed by Spanish law. With a
! Liberal majority however, this can be
readily accomplished. The possibilities of
! delay lie in the fact that a Conservative
| victory will not only change the party
| sentiment of the Cortes, but will precipi-
tate another ministerial change, with its
consequent change of policies.