Evening star., 1898-08-26
SAGASTA'S CLEVER STROKE
Repatriated Troops Receiving Portion Of
Arrears Of Pay.
Conxocation of Cortes L. said TO In.
dicate a Weakening on the Part
of the Premier.

The Madrid correspondent of the London
Standard says:
Nothing better illustrate the coun-
try's WEAKNESS and disillusion than tho
small excitement caused by the return Of
the rspatriated troops. OF the 225.OOO men
who have left Spain for the Antilles since
March, 1895. $1,000 have perished in Cuba.
$4,000 have been sent home invahded. ami
the remainder are returning to be dgsband-
ed after receiving a portion of their nins
months arrears Of pay.
This clever stroke of policy on the part
of the government will, il is thought. avert
the dangers that otherwise might have ex-
listed of the discontented army being made
the tools OF political military intriguers
and Carlists.
There are 43 generals and 5000 other
ofncers on the active list. For these it Is
proposed that the number Of line regt-
ments shall be increased.
The government has very literally pro-
vided hospital and other accommodation
scriptions pouring in from various
parts of Spain also for the assistance OF
the sick soldiers.
Its Days Numbered.
The Carlist and republican papers and
opposition organs of every shade incItid
ing the conservative and independent Jour
nails, openly show delight at the convoca-
tion of the cortes. 1t Is their firm belief
tnat the days of the liberal government
are numbered. They also announce that
the opposition considers that its hour of
reckoning has come. The opposition viii
rot allow the government to close the ses-
SION as quickly as Senor Sagasta fancIes
or may desire His opponents they add.
are determined to discuss all the acts al
the cabinet before and during the war, and
'here ..Se VIII be prolonged debates.
, some papers are even laborinp under
lHe ueluSlOn that the cOrfeS oar, 7y.Ic,,ss ~.
commissioners bS'ASS
"A part of the session will be devoted to
ways and means. The treasury is already
becoming very empty. Even many friends
OF the cabinet consider the convocat tion of
Ihe cortes mistaken act of weakness
iraught with consequences which will prove
undesirable and inconvenient both in homa
politics and in relations with the United
States'
sagasta CapituIated.
The Madrid correspondent of the London
Times says:
he convocation of the cortes for SEN
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. a recognized au-
thority on intricate questions.
The peace conditions are thus fated to
pass twice through the fire of parliamen-
tary discussion-first in embryonic state,
as defined in the protocol and subsequently
in fully developed treaty form.
1t is stated that the government will in
slst upon prorogation during the sittings In
Paris of the peace commission.
The press halls this solution as victory
Tor genuine constitutionalism over what FL
lmparcial describes as a dictatorship Of
impotence There are many Indications
that the session will be extremely lively
The government will have to justify the
suspension of the constitution and the press
censorship, and there is no doubt that the
orators Of the chamber will make strenu-
Gus efforts to rouse the nation from its
culpable lethargy."