The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-29
WAR IS NOT ENDED
Sagasta Says Negotiations May Not
Be Successful.
SPAIN IS STILL AT WAR
RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES
MAY BE NECESSARY.
Reasons Why the Cortes Will Not
Be Permitted to Discuss the War
or Peace observation-disclosures
ment Will Refuse Surrender of
Documents On Events of the War.

Madrid, Aug. 2S.-Senor Sagasta, the
premier. is quoted as having. in the
course of an interview, made state
rents declaring that it was the govern
ment's intention to repress the discus
sion OF war topics in the cortes. He
said that as soon as the cortes met
the government would submit bill
authorizing peace negotiations. and
next a measure relating to the suppress
sion os the constitutional guarantees.
Although Senior SagaSta did not state
the nature of this measure, it is SUI
I,oSed il will provide for the continual
ton of suspension.
The government said the premier,
will not discuss in any form the ques-
tionS OF peace and war. Indeed, the
DEPUTIES would be entirely lacking in
the material necessary for decision.
The debate could not proceed on con-
crete positive facts, founded on indis-
putable documents. since the necessary
information has not arrived. l believe
no discussion of the surrender OF San
tiago and Manila will occur, nor OF the
destruction of the Spanish fleet. unless
trustworthy data and exact proofs are
at hand. Moreover, no discussion is
permissible of matters at present I'M
der consideration of the supreme coun-
ellis of war and marine. Mistakes or
blunders may have been committed,
but thus far we have not sufficient ma
terial to judge.
Another reason why questions of
peace and war should not be discussed
is that diplomatic negotiations are now
being carried on. and a debate on these
subjects might be provocative OF COM
oIications. 1t must not be said that
peace is signed and discussion not al
lowab BILE Peace. is not signed. Spain
is still at war with the United States.
The two nations have merely conclud-
ed a suspension of hostilities in order
to negotiate peace. These negotiations
may not be brought to a successful is
sue, but it might happen that HOSTILE
ties will be recommended.
That is why l think the cOrtes will
only be able to discuss strictly neceS-
sary questions; that is. to make itself
acquainted with the situation of inter-
ests now at stake. which are so i'm
portant for the nation, but not to en-
gage in debate which would assume
such proportions as to infringe upon
the discretion which the gravity of the
circumstances requires of the corteS.
Should they ask to have the docu-
ments concerning the surrender of San
tiago and Manila, and the destruction
of the fleet now in the government S
possession, the government would not
accede to the request. These papers
are in the hands of supreme councils,
which alone, before the proclamation
of peace, can conduct inquiry and es-
tablish responsibilities. The inquiries
may result in acquittals or severe SEN
fences, even to capital penalty"
Senior Romero RobledO, the Weyler-
tie leader, declares that he will strong
~ oppose Senior Sagasta's plan of sup
pressing debates in the cortes. If the
government refuses to divulge official
documents on the war, Senior Robledo
says he will utilize reliable press re-
ports. Other opposition leaders are of
the same mind