The Portland daily press., 1898-06-10
AMERICA MUST SUE FOR PEACE.
sagasta insists Proposition Must Com,
From This Side.


Copyright 1899 by the Associated Press. J
Madrid May 25.-The correspondent
here of the Associated Press has had an
interview with Senior Sagasta, the Presi-
dent of the Council of Ministers, at his
office in the Presidency. The appoint
ment, fixed by courteous note from the
President himself, was for half past seven
yesterday evening. On arrival, the corre-
spondent was at once shown into hand
somely furnished ante room, the walls of
which were adorned with some fine por-
traits of last century worthless. whose
features and costumes were clearly made
out by the brilliant glare OF electric
lights.
As the correspondent entered the prime
minister's sanctum few minutes later,
the Premier politely arose, and, pointing
to an arm chair separated from his own
by the corner of the writing table, begged
him with old Castillian courtesy, to be
seated.
The Premier had about finished hard
days work, yet SO amiable was his recep-
tion that it almost appeared as though
the correspondents visit had been his
sole, or most important occupation of the
| day.
The correspondent said: "Sir, I want
| to ask your views on hve points. I shall
keep the fifth in reserve as 1t is in the
nature of request; the other four are:
| The cabinet difficulty said to exist be-
tween Senores Gamaso and Puigieryer: !:
| the real reason for Senior Leon y Castillo's
return to Paris; the truth as to the
foreign relation of Spain-is she, or is she
| not seeking alliances, and What are the
prospects Of peace. "
90 oto vov,1iod. GkTt1o Co1ond
third and fourth, all somewhat bear on
| the same subject-foreign relations. At
the present delicate juncture I do not
feel justified in speaking hereon. With
respect to peace prospects, information
could be more easily obtained in Wash
ington than Madrid, since here there was
no desire for war. spain has been driven
into war In defense Of her rights and
national existence. The United States
were the aggressors, and it is for them to
| say when peace shall prevail.
| "As regards the reported cabinet dis
cussion, the question between Senores
(iagaza and Puigierver was purely an
| academic one, and have sufficient conf
dence in their patriotism to say that they
will not discuss it SO as to bring about
disunion in the cabinet at any time when
| the country is in danger. Such scholastic
| differences of opinion will undoubtedly
| be left for discussion in quieter times.
| and will not be heard OF while we are be-
| fore the enemy"
NO." the Premier added, emphatical-
ly, Il am sure you will find rumor is
| wrong in supposing there is any danger of
cabinet crisis arising on this score"
| Through all changes of fortune Senior
| Sagasta has kept his head on his shoulders
and his honorable poverty In his pocket
Even his enemies wonder how he has re-
| mained so poor, considering that apart
y,nlitiao1 or MI rrp
wealth he is one of the best engineers in
| Spain.
| The Prime Minister of Alfonso XIII. ia
standing denial of the common report
\ that Spanish politicians are all corrupt
and self-seeing.
When the Premier had paused after his
last remark, he smiled kindly, and said:
"Now, what about the fifth subject on
which you wished to speakP A favor you
wanted, was it not?"
sit is, !" the correspondent replied, "and
a very great one 1t is no less than to ask
can your Excellency obtain for me as a
journalist, an interview with her
Majesty, the Queen Regent9"
The Premier opened his eyes with sur
prise, and said "What you ask is i'm
possible. quite appreciate the good in
tentions you have; but, were the Queen of
Spain to grant one interview it would be
difficult to refuse granting others. Her
Majesty has consistently refused to see
| journalists in interv Jews for press pur-
poses, and is determined to maintain that
resolution
| The inevitable was accepted by the cor
respondent, who thanked the Premier for
! the kindness he had shown him.
| The Premier listened with courtly
dignity, and, as the door to which he led
the correspondent closed, the Prime Min
lister of Spain, said: ''May you go with
| God" +"