The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
SPANS FUTURE HOPES.
THE DUKE OF ARGOS ON THE REGENT
WAR AND ITS RE6ULTA

Nothing to BE Feared from Don Carlos,
Says tho New Spanish Minister-O Opinions
of Weylor and Othcrs-spnin's ReEener-
ntion-Presont Business Opportunities.
WARRINGTON. June 17.-Spain's new Minis
ter to the United States. the Duke OF ARGOS, has
finally consented to talk at length about the
conditions existing In his country and the out
look for her recovery from tho effects OF the
war and the loss Of her colonies. He began By
saying:
The political future OF Spain exists in her
interior home politics. In the development OF
her home resources and In leaving foreign poll
clos alone The great strength OF the nation
will lie In the direction OF bending its energies
to the pacihcation and reconstruction OF the
country, which has recently suffered 80 heavily
The financial strain. as we'll as the absence of
many men who would be employed In labor
has OF course told upon the country. and now
that peace has been established and there no
longer exists any reason for such drain on
the body polite. the country will lend itself en-
tirely to recuperating from the injuries which
continual war in the colonies has inflicted"
Has Spain any intention Of increasing her
army or navy or decreasing the same2"
As to Spain 8 intention OF increasing or de-
Hreasing her army. can say most emphati-
ealy that Spain has no such intention. The
army. in fact. for continental power is a very
bmall one. We have only 10000 or 100000
pmen In actual service. with obligations to
serve for three years: but generally after ono
and one-half years service the soldier gets
Weave OF absence to return homo and educate
himself In some other line OF work. so there
pre-. In fact only about 10000 or $4,000
4nen comprising the army at one time.
The Cortes. By enactment will pass bill max
ing military service obligatory. Hitherto
Chose who ,had money could pay for substi-
quite. 80 generally the private soldiers were
{drawn from the lower classes. The army now,
however. will be modelled upon the same lines
Is those OF France. Austria, Germany and Italy.
end every man will be obliged to spend three
PEARS in military service. This military SER
fice, Of course. will be without distinction. il
fhe man Is found TO be physically and mentally
pound; yet 1t will not be used as hardship to
fhose who desire to follow professions OF the
Ihigher arts and sciences Those who have
4aken some academic degree will be Obliged to
$erve only one year"
is there any danger Of 10 Carlist revolt or q
$phange OF dynastyf"
I AS far as the political condition OF the coun-
fry is concerned. there is a general desire for
&peace. My country has suffered much Don
9Carlos. abusing the situation caused by tho
war and frequent disaster to her arms.
has excited the desire OF the discon-
rented for change, and the Repub-
pieans have done what they could to oppose
tthe power Of the Government and all this
fhas helped to foment an element OF sedtion
fbut the Government OF the reiening sovereign
Us too closely planted in the hearts OF the people
TO be In any danger by the mannuvres OF Don
Carlos. When the peace protocol was signed
pon Carlos gave out his manifestos saying
that he and his followers ought to declare
themselves free OF any obligations to Spain (;
and 1t was expected that before or after the
signing OF the peace treaty at Paris. there
would be Carlist uprising. Don Carlos went
to all the countries OF Europe looking for
money. but was unable to obtain any. and it
10 a well-known fact that he himself has not
the wealth to carry on the desired enterprise
1t Is also well known that he made promises to
the officers OF the army. but they refused to
listen to his plots. and were unanimous in
declaring his manifesto q shameless edict.
showing only personal interest. and ut
teIly devoid OF love for his country.
which was then in a state OF mourn
ing for her losses, and these officers declared
they would have nothing to do with him. The
Republican party also check M ated him. Even
were the reigning dynasty TO leave the coun-
try. 1t would be utterly impossible for Don Car
Jos to come into power. for recent events have
proved that he is only a schemer. q man upon
whom no one can rely l can state most abso-
lutely that Queen Christina 10 beloved by tho
eountrY as a whole. and has every assurance
that she will continue in power"
What is the general opinion OF Gen. Wey-
Ter, Gen. Blanco and Admiral Cerverai"
In regard to Gen. Weyler have never my
selt formulated leading opinion. or course.
like all prominent men. he has been praised by
his friends and detracted by his enemies. but,
H. regard to his own acts. he is so secretive an
so rarely expresses an opinion that no ono
really knows whether he is in favor OF tho
Government or not. Although it has been
ramored that he has been conspiring against
Che Government. I believe this Is only a
Islander. Should he be personally ambitious.
yet he is first OF all Spaniard. and
have no reason at all to doubt his love
OF his native country. And l am equally
I4i- hat. even should he not approve OF the
acts = the Government. he would never do
my. ing to antagonize tho Government under
en- he has served. Admiral Cervera is to-
Senator elect for Ferrol. which does not
eliminate him from the jurisdiction OF any
court and Gen. Blanco is also a Senator. hence
he cannot be subjected to court-martal. 1t
Las been asserted that he is still responsible
Tor acts done Commander in Chief Of the
Army in Cuba. II he has made any mistake in
his military career no will certainly be re-
sponsible to the Government: but l. my
self am not sufficiently informed in the
matter to be able to formulate an opinion.
There have also been critics OF Admiral Ger
vera who went into the harbor OF Santiago dc
Cuba for coal. and could not get 1t. and the
Admiral has been attacked by Spanish papers,
just as some American commanders have be en-
criticised by the press Of the United States.
but how much truth there is in the charges
am unable to state In fact. nc man can occupy
q prominent position without encounterinR
adverse criticism. especially when he does not
happen to be successfu in his undertaking.
When Count Amena made his Interpolation in
the Senate. attacking the Generals. especially
those whose names have been mentioned por-
ton OF the people sided with him. while others
took the opposite side and were warm adyo-
Gates OF Banco and Cervera. There were also
those who said that no matter what were the
facts In the case 1t would be unwise at this
juncture to excite the people. already 30 in
Soved in deepest trouble, an that at any ratio
It would be bad example OF military dsci-