Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-14
sAGAsTA AGAIN IN CONTROL
CABINET CRISIS SEEMS TO HAVE
BEEN HEALED.
Idea of n Military Government Is
Losing Ground Because of the
Lack of n Popular Leader
Pope Advises Suing
for Peace.

LONDON, July 1.-THE Madrid corre-
spondent of the Times says:
There is a mysterious change in the
political atmosphere. The fresh breeze
which set in two or three days ago in the
direction of peace has for a moment sub
sided. The weather prophets tell us that
1t Is mere momentary luli, but they do
rot explain on what their prediction is
founded.
In official circles there is a correspond
ing change of tone. In political discussions
the prosaic calculations relative to the
strength of the contending force and the
amount of provisions at the disposal of the
authorities in Cuba have retreated to the
background and we again hear much about
certain historical facts, beginning with the
discovery of the American continent, and
ending with the joint resolution of the
American congress which produced the
rupture in diplomatic negotiations.
This change is probably Il natural reac-
ticn. Some oscillations must be expected,
because practical considerations all make
for peace, whereas sentimental consider
ations, which have a powerful influence in
Spanish minds, tend in a precisely opposite
direction.
+ Though some members of the cabinet
may be. giving in private conversation un-
ment with a view to soothing patriotic sus-
capabilities, it can not be supposed that
an experienced politician like Senior Sa-
Sasta. or an able diplomatist like Duke
Almodovar de Rio, the foreign minister.
who has displayed a remarkable grasp of
the situation whole, would drop the
substance for tie shadow. They have to
decide what will be the most propitious
moment and what the best technical means
of initiating peace negotiations.
1T is impossible to speak confidently as
to their views or intentions. both men be-
ing naturally eccentric. All that can be
stated with tolerabIe certainty is that Senior
Sagasta's great moral influence has re-es-
tablished tranquility in the cabinet. He
is again firmly seated on the box and has
the team once more so well in hand that
the very existence of ministerial crisis is
denied.
Personages in close relations with the
ministers believe that as soon as certain
confidential communications now passing
between Madrid and Havana have termin-
ated, the United States government will be
sounded as to what general condition might
be taken as a basis for peace negotiations
L cannot profess to guarantee the accuracy
OF this statement. but the information
reaches me from so many mutually inde-
rect
The Madrid correspondent OF the Stand
ard says: THE idea of military dicta-
torship or even a military government
Is losing ground, mainly because Spain pos
sesses no popular or prominent military
leaders. the collapse in Cuba having dam
aged the prestige of Marshal Campos and
General Weyler. The latter has coquetted
With the Carlists and the extremists to
such an extent that he is now viewed as
kance by all parties
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Telegraph, after quoting an assertion of Ell
Liberal to the effect that the fall of San
tiago de Cuba is the governments s most
ardent desire. says:
IF General Blanco and the army in
Cuba continue in war, 1 am informed on
the best Conservative authority that Senior
sagasta will resign and a ministry includ-
ing Senior Romero y Robledo and General
Weyler will be constituted
My private belief is that. on the fall of
Santiago the peace negotiations which
have already been informally begun Will
become official. The pope has telegraphed
the queen regent strongly advising her to
solicit peace and explaining the grounds of
his advice.
1T is reported that the French colony at
Malaga has petitioned the French gov
ernment to protest against an American
bombardment of that Spanish CITY,"
MADRID, July 13.-The newspapers here
publish statement to the effect that the
Spanish minister of marine has secured
proofs that the Americans used incendiary
projectiles. thus explaining the burning of
the Spanish ships at Cavite and Santiago
de Cuba"
Some of the papers urge the government
mot to protest to the powers on this sub
ject but to use the same weapons in Span
ish ports against American ships"
On leaving the cabinet council tonight.
Lieutenant General Correa, minister of
war, said there was nothing in the official
dispatches to confirm rumors that Santiago
de Cuba had capitulated to the Americans.
Captain Aunon, minister of marine con-
firmed the report that Commodore Wat
sons squadron is now en- route for Spain.
He added that Admiral Camara's fleet
would find secure port.
Duke Almodovar de Rio. minister of for
eign affairs. reiterated the statement that
no negotiations for peace have taken place.
He said that General Blanco had again
| wired General Toral, commander of the
Spanish forces at Santiago, to resist the
Americans.
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