THE CRISIS IN SPAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 63

THE CRISIS IN SPAIN.

Die Hua'do ln^ had an inU j \ i°» with Geneial We It i on the piesent cr.^i- in Spam The 1 com trsatiun natuially turned on lj.ciit cc j vem*, and General V. eylei c a d — " Xo one le^iol-- lroie thnn I do ths p.e'-snt abnormal state of r. fi ti i i^ , nnd further, no one could have done imie thin I ha\e done lo ]>revent the chd powei coming into my liard^ ; bui L . havir>_- done all that was possible to avoid it. -Hjiea once the state at war was declared. I had to carry out nr, d'lty with all my power-, as I have alwi,\& done in all the posts which ha\e b3en entursted to .ne.

" This does not imply that my proclamation :s directed against the free exercise of political rights. I have not been placed here to prevent free criticism of the Government, and of the various political partie.-, nor am I to silence the; legitimate c-on Iments of the press on the normal course of political affairs. I am here to ensure ths preservation of public order, which has been seriously threatened in the last few days ; to prevent attacks beinc,- made on institutions which ought to bs sacred; to restore the normal conditions of peace and good order which have been lately disregarded in the city and in the country. " I have directed the suspension of the newspaper El Dia because it did not coiaply with the terms of the proclamation and bring its contributions for the censor to see ; I have closed the rjrintim; establishment ot the Proyrcso and nnpii.soned its editor If thsv had clone as directed by the proclamation, nothing of the k'nd would have been clone by the authorities.

"With regard to the censorship, I hope its work will be got through quickly ; if two officials are not enough to do the work, I will appviint four, six, or as m my r.s are required, and shall be always l'e nlv to listen to any complaints made asai^st the.r action.

"It i1?i 1 ? no pleasure fo me to have io C3.'Vcise a censors!, p over the press, yet tly? present cxeeprirnal s-tafe of atii.rs hr>-. rendered this mpaHlie necesiai". To stiov „ ; how unpic.MS.mt to me is t.': n ri'it'iJe i)i <.<■ I am eorupalk 1 t<-. ad >pr, I >„ll c- rl , >i what I mi-fiid to do v. hen onco tho Ctrn.val time has passed — quietly, ;ok! v lthoct riotous movements, as I be'is-\ > and ti".is v it will pa.«. I intend to ci r. n-courur of the rep;ese"tatives of vanoa 1 - »'e»r-,ii.'ipciv, and lay before them a piopos'il i , jrab' _h arotliT prcc'limn'mi "urciS-c'i.'g i.] : i rmpr cenv -rship, leaving it to thdi di^» cretion to rubm;t in tiie (Xpiain-general for his information a,. 1 r.iacles whi'.ii, .s their opinion, ihou'J rcce.vc hi: appi^.. t before be:nj jrablishcil

"This j.s mv feeli:;^ at rye nt, ai.d tlt.s is :\\ pr^po 1 - ( ; for iKo fi:i\i<- "