The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-21
Spanish Senator Demands Execu-
tion of Spanish Commanders.
OPENING OF THE CORTES
CONDUCT OF THE WAR BITTER
LY DENOUNCED.
Count d'Almenas Wanted to Know
Why None of the Generals Had
Been Shot-Premier Sagasta De-
nounces Americas Unjustified
Conduct-Senor Annix's Sensation

Madrid, Feb. 2O.-The cortes reas-
sembled today. The galleries in both
chambers were thronged with an ex-
pectant crowd. The senate was very
full, hardly a single general being alb
sent.
Senior Montero Rios, president of the
senate, in opening the proceedings, pro-
nounced an eulosy upon NJ. Faure, and
a resolution Of coincidence with France
was adopted unanimously.
Senior SagsSta. the premier. then pro-
posed to refer the bill providing for the
cession of the Philippines to the United
States to u special committee, but The
Conservatives protested against this.
declaring that the bill ought to be con-
conscientiously discussed. and Senior
Sagasta withdrew his proposal.
Count d'Almenas then brought up the
question of the conduct of the generals
engaged in the war in Cuba, declaring
that General Primo Rivera, General
WeyIer, General Blanco, Admiral Ger
vera and General Linares had proven
failures.
This declaration elected much ap-
plause from the public galleries. in con-
sequence of which several of the spec
tators were expelled from the cham
Der.
Observing that he would deal with
the shameful equalization of San
tiago." Count d'Amenas asked the
house whether he should proceed, and
was answered with cries of Yes and
No" and a general uDrOar ensued. a
repetition of the query provoking still
greater tumult, Senior Sagasta rose and
defended the government and its peace
commission. The premier criticised
Americas unjustified conduct, and said
that everything might be discussed eX-
cept the war. because the cases of the
generals were still sub-judiciary.
Count d'Almenas resumed his attack
upon the generals, and complained that
five months had elapsed. and not a
single general had been shot"
This gave rise to another tumult, and
Count d'Almenas was called TO order.
Again he asked why the generals who
capitulated had not been executed. 1t
is quite true he declared, that the army
is an army of lions led by asses. Cap
tain General Blanco's administration in
Cuba was deplOrable, he said, but he
Of Santiago.
determinations continued between
Count d'Almenas and Lieutenant Gen
aral Correa, the minister of war, and
there was renewed disorder.
Then General Primo de Rivera arose
and denounced Count d'Almenas as a
contemplate calumniatOr." General
Blanco followed, defending the generals /
and accepting full responsibility for
events in Cuba during his command in !
he island. General BargeS also de- !
bounced Count d'Almenas as a calumn- |
alton.
After a promise on the part of Count I
lAlmenas to produce proofs of his as
;ertiOnS tomorrow, the senate adjourn |
o.
GOVERNMENT DENOUNCED.
In the chamber a resolution of con-
lolence with France over the death of
President Faure was unanimously
.dODted.
Senior Silvela. leader of the Dissident
moved a vote, signed by
he Conservative deputies, censuring
his government for it's Indifference to
he country's troubles.
Senior Annix, in seconding the motion,
enounced the ministry for accepting
he war through fear of the Cariists,
nd declared that the country was now
the consequences of the gov
rnments pusillanimity. He proceeded
o detail the lack of preparations, and
f war materials, and charged the gov
rnment with responsibility for the sur
ender of Santiago, which they or
cred, although the garrison there
numbered $4,000. and there was suf-
Gent provisions in the place for three
lonths." This declaration created a
enSation.
In proof that the government was
esDonsible for the surrender of Cuba,
enOr Annix read kilograms from Senior
agasta and Lieutenant General Cc-1ea
} General BlancO, ordering the sur
ander of Cuba as a means of saving
orto Rico and the Philippines, and
reserving order in the peninsula. He
lso read General Blanco's telegram in
eply, opposing the surrender. but
greeting TO obey the governments or
er.
Senior Annix added that President
Ickinley had telegraphed to General
halter that the surrender of Santiago
ad been arranged with the Madrid
overnment. and that, therefore, he
lust make a sort of sham attack. /
Captain Aunon. minister of marine,
iterpOsed at this point, saying lie be-
eyed this story to be incorrect; where ]
pom Senior AnniX repeated the state .
ent that Premier Sagasta had ordered I
lie surrender of Cuba in order to save
lie monarchy :