The herald., 1898-05-23


Since the ministry has been reconstructed,
publicity and prominence are being given
BY leading organs to movements Of troops.
which seems to indicate an intention to
warn whom 1t may concern that Spain is
ready to resist any unjustifab.e schemes
Of aggression, from whatever source they
may come. These movements have refer
ence to the idea that Spain may be helpful
to the powers in the event of any combina-
ton against an Anglo-Saxon alliance.
Castillo, 3 object
LONDON. May 22-The Madrid corre-
spondent Of the Daily Telegraph says:
One point Of interest In the reconstruction
Of the cabinet lies in the obstinate refusal
Of Senior Leon v Castillo, the Spanish am
bassador to France, to accept the foreign
secretaryship. Every consideration has
been brought to bear In vain. His first re-
ply to the premiers request expressed the
convictions that the interests of Spain
would be best served by his remaining In
Paris. Senior Sagasta answered, pointing
out that the head of the government was
the best Judge of the interests of the faith
erland. and insisting upon the amEassa-
doris acceptance. To the surprise of ev-
erybody. the ambassador persisted in his
refusal and promised in a personal inter-
view to prove to Senior Sagasta that 1t
would be grave mistake for him to leave
Paris.
am enabled to state that the ambassa-
doris motive for refusal was the following:
"Senor Sagasta's cabinet Is, by its own
formal declaration, determined to carry
on the war with all possible vigor, whereas
Senior Leon v Castillo is aware that Spain's
friends among the powers, France in par
ticular, are resolved to insist upon her
suing for peace at the first favorable mo-
ment. France possesses two-fold inter-
est in having peace concluded--financial
and political. The former would be severe
~ damaged II Spain were ruined, and the
latter would suffer II the United States
retained permanent possession Of the
Philippines.
1.-THE leading idea which actuates the
statesmen responsible for the political
scheme favored by Senior Castillo, Is that
as Spain must be defeated in the long run.
it is advisable to save as much as possible
from destruction, and that the sooner
peace is concluded the more tolerable will
be the terms acquiesced in by the United
States.
1.-THE most important of these terms, in
the eyes of SPANS friends and protectors,
is the possession of the Philippines. which
can be utilized for further political COM
binations later on.
ITO become a member Of war cabinet.
therefore. ct the very moment when the
friendly great powers are resolved to press
upon Spain q speedy peace, appears im-
prudent to Senior Leon v Castillo, who is
in possession Of all the threads of negotla-
tions Senior Sagasta's cabinet is certain
ly DESTROYS of regaining popularity with the
country by prosecuting the war to the BIT
ter end, but It is highly improbable that
heretofore. having followed the advice Of
the continental powers, that 1t will refuse
to accept counsel of peace proffered under
the promise Of future help, and especially
If the United States waived all claims to
the Philippines. Spain's Importance as q
political factor in the far east is now thor
oughly understand and everything possible
will be done to gain time and profit by 1t.
Her position as a Mediterranean power,
her influence in Morocco. her well discip-
lined land and sea forces, and, above all,
her possession Of the Philippines, consti-
tutes the political aspect of the question.
The first and most important step at pres
ent, therefore, is to utilize the most pro-
pitious moment for concluding peace on
the basis of Spain's retention Of the Phil
ippines. When that time has come-and 1t
IL believed to be very near now that the
Spanish squadron Is at Santiago de Cuba
Spain will be asked to propose pour par
leurs. and friendly efforts will be made to
induce the United States to rest satisfied
with Cuba's independence, or with annexa-
ton and to abandon the scheme Of running