The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-04
SPAIN.


Designs of the Provisional Governnont--The
United states Gunboat Fired OR-Apologetc
Letter from Scrrano-Thc Cuban Trouble
Financial Embarrassment.
MADRID Jan. 10, 1869.
II is understood that the government has been
sounding the troops to ascertain their feelings In
regard to a coup d'etdt. Some OF the infantry,
ofncered by PRINTS friends, are ripe for anything,
but the engineer and artillery corps cannot be cor.
rupted The latter the elite OF the Spanish army
They declare-at least their prominent officers de-
clare-that they will support the government in all
that is proper and right until the Cortes meet. and
whatever that body DEGREES they will obey, but they
will not permit any coup d'etat il they can help 1t.
The position assumed by these corps has rather
thrown cold water on the ambitious designs Of the
government. Still it cannot be safely affirmed that
they have been rencuished. They will not be until
the last moment, although 1t is more impossible
daily carry them out. The elections take place on
the l5th and the result viii greatly affect the plans
Of the government,
Marshal Serrano, President OF the provisional
government, addressed Mr.. Hale, our Minister,
note on New Years Day, with copy or telegram
from General Pavia, commanding troops In Malaga,
informing the government that boat OF the
Swalara, bearing the United States nag, had been
fred into by the revolutionists while It was convey
ing some ladies' to the ship. General Pavia had dis
persed the reyoluti0nists, and he did not know
whether any one had been hurt in the boat. He
had made explanations TO the commander Of the
Swatara. General Serrano, on behalf OF the pro-
visional government deplored The act OF vanda
ism. The relations between the United States and
spain were always friendly, aud he regretted that
anything should occur that might IN any way
change them. lie promised to secure and punish the
friendly country. OF course the act was one that
could not be prevented, and the government Is not
all to blame for 1t. General Serran0 very prompt
~, on behalf OF the government, convey d to Mr..
Hale the news and his regrets That was all that
his entire satisfaction OF General serrano's dis
clamer, and the AFFAIR Will be dropped. unless some
thing different is reported by Commander Blake or
The news from Cuba is said to be very gloomy.
Every exerton Is being put forta TO hurry on REIN
forcements. Transportation Is limited; the Cadiz
and Malaga aiaIrs have affected governmental
plans, and above all the finances In such de-
porable stae that it is doubtful whether any consid
cradle number OF troops can Ibe sent out before
spring, when 1t may be too late. We do not know
the precise nature OF the intelligence that General
Lersund has sent by Atlantic cable but may
infer that 1t ls bad IRON the eject In the higher cir
Giles. Spaniards begin to freely admit that they
slider the Island OF Cuba lost 10 them aud they say
that 1t does not surprise them when such persons as
General Duce took with him are sent out to govern
lot OF needy ana penniiess adventures were ever
sent out OF Spain before TO be saddled
on the poor Cubans. With very few exceptions they
are men OF no talent, position or responsibility.
They came to the surface during the revolution and
must be taken care OF by the government. They will
iii their pockets Cuba II the revolution there does
not choke them OIL and come home rich. AS Illus
trating their character they relate good saying OF
wU s nba Sey wnu ays
half OF the island and spent the proceeds before they
sailed from Cadiz. II Is pity that Spain could not
send better men. What wonder that the island Is
dissatisfied to Its resources disspated baggel
BY these needy adyenturers To be sure the oiricas
here but little better, and Cuba may not IN Jus-
tice claim that Partially has been shown her.
The Finance Minister Is In painful position. The
od government had NEGOTIATED loan with the Rohs-
that amount had been sent him. He sold In way
or another 10000 900 In these bonds and RENTED
TIE government so,0o0,0o0, after having deducted
10000 900 for his percentage, insurance, and know
not what. Mr.. Figuerola the Finance Minister, re-
lied the sale OF the balance, 3ooooOo0o. TO meet
fore yesterday he received from the Rothschllds all
the bonds In his hands, with the information that be
Of the Paris bankers, but exceedingly bad
OF Finance found himself fguratively speaking, on
nis beams end and was compelled to borrow ten mil
lion reals from the Bank OF spain to meet impera.
tive payments. No one knows what will be done
now. The interest OF the de0t must remain unpaid
unless some method Is discovered by which money
can be raised. What that method shall be just now
engages the thoughts OF every fnancier who can
see no daylight anywhere. The situation Is bad
fecty empty it Is really disheartening. Spanish
funds are dropping lower and lower daily. The end
must come very soon. How can the crash be pre-
Fermin salvoched the leader Of the revolution in
Cadiz, was before court martial found guilty and
duct before the court was cool and confident When
asked what his religion was he replied patriotism
and love OF my fellow man." When asked what his
object was he said, 'ro establish republic on the
model OF the United States.n His judges requested
him TO tell who were his accompces. and he coolly
told them TO find out. The Andaiuslans are opposed
TO the sentence OF the court and opposed TO the
wholesale arrests that have been made. Men were
arrested wh) took no part In the Tight but solely
because they were members OF the republican COM
mittee. About thirty are yet In prison awaiting
trial. Many rich persons are still leaving cadiz.
The Andalusians have little respect for either Prim
or any OF tue parties In power at Madrid and will
not We satisfied with anything short Vi fair repre-
sentative government.