The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-21
Five Months Had Elapsed, He Said
and Not One of the Generals
Had Been Shot.
ARMY OF LIONS LED BY ASSES
WEYLER, BLANCO, CERVERA AND
OTHERS CALLED FAILURES.
Conduct of the War with America
Also Condemned by Senior Annix
in the Chamber of Deputies.

MADRID, Feb. 2O.-The Cortes reassem-
bled to-day. The galleries in both chambers
were thronged with an eXpectant crowd.
The Senate was very full, hardly single
general being absent. Senor Montero Rios,
president of the Senate, in opening the pro-
ceedings, pronounced a eulogy upon M.
Faure and a resolution of coincidence with
France was adopted unanimously.
Senior Sagasta, the premier, then proposed
to refer the bill providing for the cession
of the Philippines to the United States to
special committee, but this the COnserva-
tives protested against declaring that the
bill ought to be conscientiously discussed
and Senor Sagasta withdrew his proposal
Count d'Almenas then brought up the
question of the conduct of the generals en-
gagged in the war in Cuba, declaring that
General Primo de Rivera, General Weyler,
General Blanco. Admiral Cervera and Gen.
Linares had proved failures This declara-
tion ELECTED much applause from the public
galleries, in consequence of which several
Of the spectators 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 answered with
cries of yes" and no." and a general up
roar ensued.
A repetition Of the query provoking still
greater tumult, Senior Sagasta arose and
defended the government and it's peace COM
mission. The premier criticised Americas
''unjustifiable conduct" and said that every
thing might be discussed except the war,
because the cases of the generals were still
subjudice.
Count d'Almenas resumed his attack on
the generals and complained that five
months had elapsed and not 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. Captain General Blanco's ad-
ministration in Cuba was deplorable, he
said, but he was not responsible for the sur
render at Santiago.
DENOUNCED BY GENERALS.
Recrimnations continued between Count
D'Almenas and Lieutenant General Correa,
the minister of war, and there was renewed
disorder. Then Gen. Primo de Rivera arose
and denounced Count d Almenas as con
temptible calumniator." General Blanco
followed defending the generals and ac-
cepting full responsibility for events in
Cuba during his command in the island.
General Barges also denounced Count
D'AlmeEas as a calumniator.
After promise on the part of Count
D'Almenas to produce proofs of his asser-
tions tomorrow, the Senate adjourned.
In the Chamber of Deputies a resolution
of coincidence with France over the death
of President Faure was unanimously
.Ao i. g
sident Conservatives, moved a vote signed
by the Conservative deputies, censuring this
government for it's indifference to the coun-
try's troubles.
Senior Annix, in seconding the motion, de-
nounced the Ministry for accepting the
war through fear of the Carlists, and de-
clared that the country was now suffering
the consequences of the governments pusil-
lanimity. He proceeded to detail the lack of
preparations and of war materials, and
enlarged the government with responsible
ties for the surrender of Santiago, which
they ordered although the garrison there
numbered $4,000 and there was sufficient
provisions in the place for three months"
This declaration created a sensation In
proof that the government was responsible
for the surrender of Cuba Senior Annix read
kilograms from SenOr Sagasta and Lieuten-
ant General Correa to General Banco or
dering the surrender of Cuba as means
of saving Porto Rico and the Philippines.
and preserving order in the peninsula He
also read General Blanco's telegram in reply
opposing the surrender, but agreeing to
obey the governments order
Senior Annix added that President Nc
Kinley had telegraphed to General Shafter
that the surrender of Santiago had been
arranged with the Madrid govexnment and
that, therefore, he must make a sort of
sham attack
Captain Aunon, minister of marine inter-
posed at this point, saying he believed this
story to be incorrect, whereupon Senor
Anix repeated the statement that Premier
Sagasta had ordered the surrender of Cuba
in order to save the monarchy.