The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-21
D'ALMENAS' GRIEF
A Member Of the Spanish SEN
ate Bewails the Fact
That Five Months Has Elapsed
Since the War
AND NOT A GENERAL
Has Yet Been Shot For the
Surrender of Cuba.
Spain Begins to Fight the War
Over at Madrid.


bled today. The galleries in both cham
bers were thronged with an expectant
crowd. The senate was very full, hard
ly single general being absent.
Senior Montero Rios, president of the
senate, in opening the proceedings, pro-
nounced eulogy upon M. Faure, and
resolution of coincidence with France
was adopted unanimously.
Senior Sagasta, the premier, then pro-
posed to refer the bill providing for the
cession of the Philippines to the United
States to a special committee, but this
the conservatives protested against, de-
claring that the bill ought to be con-
scientiously discussed, and Senior Sa-
gasta 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 Gen. Primo Rivera, Gen Weyler,
Gen. Blanco, Admiral Cervera and Gen.
LinareS had proved failures
This declaration ELECTED much APP
plause from the public galleries, in con-
sequence of which several of the spec
tators were expelled from the chamber.
Observing that he would deal with the
shameful capitulation of Santiago"
Count d'Almenas asked the house
whether he should proceed, and was an
Swered with cries of yes and NO
tition of the query provoking still
greater tumult, Senior SagaSta arose
and defended the government and its
peace commission. The premier criti-
cised Americas unjuStified conduct and
said that everything might be discussed
except the war, because the cases of the
generals were still sub-judico.
Count d'Almenas resumed his attack
upon the generals and complained that
five months had elapsed and not a sim
gle general had been shot" This gave
rise to another tumult and Count d'Al-
menas was called to order. Again he
1e, fn6
had not been executed. 1t is quite true,
he added, that the army is an army of
lions led by asses. Capt. Gen. BlancOS
administration in Cuba was deplorable,
he said, but he was not responsible for
the surrender of Santiago. Recrimina-
tions continued between Count DIAL
menas and Lieut.. Gen. Correa, the min
lister of war, and there was renewed
disorder. Then Lieut.. Gen. Primo FeiV
era arose and denounced Count DIAL
menas as contemplate calumniator."
Gen. Blanco followed, defending the
generals and accepting full responsible
ity for events in Cuba during his COM
mand in the island. Gen Barges also
denounced Count d'Almenas as a cal
umniator.
After a promise on the part of Count
d'Almenas to produce proofs Of his as
Sertions the senate adjourned
In the chamber a resolution of con-
dolence with France over the death of
President Faure was unanimously
adopted.
Senior Silvela, leader of the dissident
conservatives, moved a vote signed by
the conservative deputies censuring this
government for it's indifference to the
country'S troubles.
Senior Annix, in censuring the motion,
denounced the ministry for accepting
the war through fear of the CarliStS
and declared that the country was now
suffering the consequences of the gov
ernment'S puSillanimity. He proceeded
to detail the lack of preparations and of
war materials and charged the govern
ment with responsibilities for the sur
render of Santiago, (which they or
dered, although the garrison there num-
bered $4,000 and there were sufficient
months" This declaration created a
sensation
In proof that the government itself
was responsible for the surrender Of
Cuba, Senior AnniX read kilograms from
Senior Sagasta and Lieut.. Gen. Correa
to Gen. Blanco ordering the surrender
of Cuba as a means of saving Porto
order in the peninsula He also read
Gen. Blanco'S telegram in reply, OPP
posing the surrender, but agreeing to
obey the governments order.
Senior AnniX added that President Nc
KinIey had telegraphed to Gen. Shafter
that the surrender of Santiago had been
arranged with the Madrid government
and that, therefore, he must make a
sort of sham attack.
Capt. Aunon, minister of marine, In
terpOsed at this point, saying he be-
lieved this story to be incorrect; where
upon Senior Annix repeated the state
ment that Senior Sagasta had ordered
the surrender of Cuba in order to save
the monarchy.