The age-herald., 1898-03-01
SPANISH CORTES WILL BE D|SSOLV VED This May Mean a Change Back to the Butcher WeyIer
 Regime.

Washington, Feb. 28.-The state depart ment today received the following dispatch from Minister Woodford at Madrid:
 Decree dissolving Spanish cortes Feb. 26 New cortes will meet April 25.'
 The dissolution of the cortes had been expected, and it may be attended with im- portant results. The two parties, the lib- eral and conservative, will now appeal to the coutry and on the result will depend the present complexion of the ministry. The Sagasta ministry, now in power, is liberal. Its retention in power means much at the present jucture, for it was on the advent of the Sagasta regime that Gen. Weyler was recalled, the concentrate decrees were annulled and the present plan of auton- omy put in force.
 The policy now being pursued by Gen. Blanco in Cuba is an entire reversal of that under the conservative regime of Canovas and his successor, and 1t is felt that the continuance of this policy is no less at stake than the ministry itself in the out come of the present elections.
 Change Was Expected
 Senor DuBosc, the Spanish charge d d'affaires, has not received official notifica- tion 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 before the election of a new cortes occurs. MT. DuBosc, who is himself a liberal and warm supporter of the Sagasta ministry, says there is no doubt the result will be the return of liberal majority in the cor tes and the consequent continuance of the present ministry. All parties of late have given loyal aid to the liberal ministry and it's policy toward Cuba at the present time is regarded by MT. DuBosc as suspicious for calm campaign, which, he asserts, will continue the present authorities in power.
 No Significance to the Act
 He says there is no significance in the dissolution at this time. In other quar- ters it is felt that the conservatives 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 grow ing factor in Spanish affairs, and 1t Is ex- pected that the Weylerites either will cast their influence with the conservatives who sent General Weyler to Havana, or else make their appearance as a distinct poli- tica1. organization, representatives of the army and the navy and the martial spirit in general. To a considerable extent the contest will be between the war element and the peace element. Elections will be held not only in Spain, but in Cuba, and Porto Rico However, this should not be confounded with the local elections of Gu ba under the plan of autonomy. The present election will be confined entirely to the choice of delegates to the imperial parliament and will not be part of the autonomous plan for local government of Cuba.
 In the election of April 2, Cuba will se- lect it's usual quota to the Spanish cortes under the same system of suffrage that has long prevailed.
 Ministerial Change Probable
 The new cortes will meet immediately after the election, probably May l. While no date has been fixed 1t is known in ad- vance that the new body must assemble in order to pass the budget which by law must be completed by July 1. This will give brief time for completing the extensive supply bills within the time prescribed by Spanish law. With a liberal majority, however, this can readily be ac- complshed. The possibilities of delay lie in the fact that a conservative victory will not only give that party control of the courts, but will precipitate another min isterial change, with its consequent change of oia