Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/341

 1899.] Spain. — Sagasta's Resignation. [333

September. The Coreo Espaflol, the organ of Don Carlos, cut short any doubts in that quarter, by forbidding the Carlists to take part in the negotiations. On the other hand, the Republicans, on the advice of Seflor Salmeron, decided to join in the coming discussion in order to divest themselves more fully of all responsibility for the war and the peace. Under these conditions the session promised to be a stormy one, and the result showed that it exceeded all expectations.

In the course of the very first sitting, in the Senate as in the Chamber, the Government and the Army were severely taken to task. The palm for invective was incontestably carried off by the Marquis d'Almenas in the Senate. He managed to rouse an indescribable tumult by saying out loud what everybody was saying inaudibly. He charged the generals with incapacity and with culpable indolence. The Marshal Martinez Campos undertook the defence of the military chiefs, and the insolence of his language astounded those who still- clung to the illusion that parliamentary Government could exist in Spain. It was not long before the Ministry realised that its doom was inevitable. Ambassadors, who were also senators, were summoned from their posts to vote for the surrender of the Philippine Islands, and with charming simplicity the senator generals were also convoked. The latter lost no time in forming themselves into a group to support Martinez Campos, who taking the offensive at once tabled a motion demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the recent colonial wars. By 130 to 7 votes the Senate promptly agreed (Feb. 27) to this motion in principle, but the real struggle was adjourned until the following day when the Opposition moved an amendment to the proposal for the cession of the islands, which was finally lost by only two votes — 120 to 118. On this crucial point the majority comprised three ministers and all the court officers who were senators, whilst the generals voted with the Opposition led by Campos, Blanco, Azcarraga, Primo di Uivera and others.

The next day (March 1) the Sagasta Cabinet tendered its resig- nation ; and the Queen Begent, according to custom, invited the advice of the leaders of the two Chambers as to her course of action. After a short delay she entrusted (March 4) Sefior Silvela with the duty of forming a new Administration, which was ultimately composed as follows: President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sefior F. Silvela; Grace and Justice, Sefior Davan; Navy, Sefior Gomez Imas; Treasury, Sefior Dato; War, General Polavieja; Public Works, Marquis Pidal; and Finance, Sefior Villaverde. There was a sensible lack of homo- geneity in such a Cabinet, and speedily it became clear that the President and the Minister for War were not likely to work in harmony. Necessarily the Cortes, having been first pro- rogued, was dissolved, and the new elections fixed with little delay. Meanwhile the Ministry was settling into place with more or less difficulty. A small sum had been left in the