Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-21
SPANISH GENERALS DENOUNCED.
Upsoar in CORES Count D'Almenas Score,
Wsylsr, Blance and Others.

Madrid, Feb. 20.-The Cortes re-as.
sembled, today. The galleries in both
Chambers were thronged with an ex-
pectant crowd. The Senate was very
full. hardly single general being alb
sent.
Senior Montero Rios. resident OF the
Senate. In opening the proceedings,
pronounced a eulogy on N. Faure; and
resolution of coincidence with France
was unanimously adopted.
Senior Sagasta, the premier, then pro-
posed to refer the bill providing for
the cessation Of the Philippines to the
United States to special committee,
but the Conservatives protested, de-
claring that the bill ought to be con-
scientiously discussed and Senior Sa-
gasta withdrew his proposal.
Count DAlmenas then brought up
the question of the conduct OF the gen.
erals engaged in the war in Cuba, de-
claring that Gen. Primo de Rivera,
Gen. Weyler, Gen. Blanco, Admiral
Cervera and Gen. Tinares had proved
failures. The declaration ELECTED much
applause from the public galleries, in
consequence of which several Of the
spectators were expelled from tn cham
Der.
Observing that he would deal with
the shameful capitalization of Santi-
ago." Count D'Almenas asked the
House whether he should proceed and
was answered with cries of Yes" and
NO" and a general uproar ensued
Senior Sagasto rose and defended the
government and it's Spanish peace
commission. The premier criticised
Americas "unjustified conduct" and
said everything might be discussed ex-
cept the war. beause the cases Of the
generals were still sub-judice.
Count D'Almenas resumed his at
tack upon the generals and complained
that five months had elapsed and not
A single general had been shot" This
gave rise to another tumult. Again he
asked why the generals who capitulat-
ed had not been executed. It. was
quite true. he declared, that the army
was an army of lions led by asses.
Capt Gen. Blancos administration in
Cuba was depiorable, he said, but he
was not responsible for the surrender
of Santiago.
determinations continued between
Count D'Almenas and Lieut.. Gen. Cor
rea, the minister OF war, and there
was renewed disorder Then Gen, Primo
de Rivera denounced Count D'Almenas
as "a contemplate caluminator"
Gen. Blanco followed, defending the
generals and accepting full RESPONSE
bility for events in Cuba during his
command in the islano.
After promise on the part of Count
DAlmenas to produce proofs of his as
sertions. tomorrow, the Senate adj
journed
Senior Silvela, leader of the Dissident
Conservatives. moved a vote signed by
the Conservative deputies. censuring
the government for it's Indifference to
the country's troubles.
Senior Annix. in seconding the mo-
ton, denounced the ministry for ac-
cepting the war through fear of the
Carlists and declared that the country
was now suffering the consequences Of
the governments pusillanimity. He
proceeded to detail the lack Of pre-
paration and of war materials and
charged the government with response
bility for the surrender of Santiago,
which they ordered. although thegar-
iiSoH thCiC' uuHlUcTcu So,UVV ana InoTe
was sufficient provisions in the place
for three months" This declaration
created a sensation.
In proof that the government was re-
sponsible for the surrender of Cuba,
Senior Annix read kilograms from Senior
Sagasta and Lieut.. Gen. Cora to Gen.
BIanco ordering the surrender of Cuba
as a means of saving Porto Rico and
the Philippines and preserving order In
the peninsula. He also read Gen.
Blanco's telegram in reply. opposing
the surrender, but agreeing to obey
the governments order.
Senior Annix added that President
Mckinley had telegraphed to Gen.
Shafter that the surrender of Santiago
had been arranged with the Madrid
government that therefore, he must
make sort of sham attack.
Capt. Aunon. minister of marine, in
terposed at this point saying he be-
lieved this story to be incorrect, where
up Senior Annix repeated the statement
that Premier Sagasta had ordered the
surrender of Cuba in order to save the