Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-23
SPANISH MINISTRY MAY RESIGN.
Opposition to senate shows Itself in
the Philippine CessiOn.

Opposition to senate Shows Itself in
the Philippine CessiOn.
MADRID, Feb. 22.-The newspapers point
to the fact that the unprecedented Spanish
senate opposition has, by Interruptions, not
allowed the premier, Senior Sagasta, to
speak.
The Liberal says: "When matters have
come to such pass disorder and anarchy
have gained the day"
The Impartial says: The government
cannot retain power under these circum-
stances. The opposition in the senate in
tends to offer battle to the government ibis
evening when the hureass 81 Il nest 40 APP
point commission TO examine the Bill for
the cession of the Philippines. If the gov
ernment finds itself in minority thereon,
it is understood it will resign
The meeting of the bureau this evening
to appoint a committee to examine the bill
for the cession of the Philippines resulted
in only a nominal ministerial success. AL
though the ministerial candidates chosen
were four and the opposition candidates
only three, yet on division the opposition
will muster ninety-two votes as against
eighty-seven ministerialists. The opposi-
tion WILL therefore, submit counter
measure.
The republican motion in favor of sum-
moning the constituent assembly led to
stormy debate in the Chamber of Deputies.
Prof. Salmeron, the republican leader, in
the course of a violent speech, said the re-
publicans had resumed their seats in parlia-
ment in order to force the government to
accept its responsibilities. In his opinion
not only those governing but present in
stitutions themselves would fall victims to
the present disasters. He severely censured
the ministers for endeavoring to save the
ha
your colonial policy" he said, was dis
astrous because you joined sword and cas-
sock in order to restore a feudal theocracy
with all sorts Of privileges. The government
has surrendered to the United States Spain's
whole colonial empire and the peace that
has been signed is the most shameful re-
corded in history"
Senior Sagasta replying said:
1--WE lost the colonies, but we have
avoided civil war. When you were in power
greater calamities occurred The United
States drove us to war for which no regime
Is blamable and no regime could make a
nation, weakened by two colonial rebellions,
strong ] am incapable Of destroying the
nations liberties. 1t is the republicans
alone who endanger the liberties of the
country by breaking the law"
The result of the debate in the Chamber
upon the motion of Senior Silvela, leader cf
the conservatives censuring the govern
ment for Indifference to the country's
troubles" was the withdrawal OF the reso-
luton.
Prof. Salmeron, after being called to order
for veiled reference to the crown, de-
clared that the conservative party was pri-
marily responsible for the country's disas-
ters since it had failed to apply in Cuba
reforms voted by al parties and that the
present government must be held RESPONSE
BILE for making dshonorable peace. He ad-
vocated calling a constituent assembly
which he said, would kill forever both
Carlism and any attempt at Dictatorship"
He appealed to all the liberal and demo
cratic forces to cooperate and SO prevent
the triumph of the vatican and of the re-
aciinnarias q -