The New York herald., 1870-01-27
Spain and che Beurbens-Ffrancc and tho Rad
lcaIs-Tho Two European Questions.


icals-The Two European Questions.
The European questions Of the hour, at
least those questions which command any gene
raj interest, are either Spanish or French.
Europe Ia by no means in settled condition.
Scandinavia il pouring forth her thousands to
the New World. So are North and South
Germany SO also are the British Isles. This
vast emigration from Northern and even from
Central Europe is far from being unsusgestive.
1t is, on the contrary, deeply suggestive. But
suggestiyeness is the less necessity that we
know the facts. We know that Sweden and
Norway are awaking into newness Of life.
They begin to share with their German and
British neighbors the advantages that result
from having numerous and prosperous friends
on this Continent 1. is hard to live in poverty
them and paradise. The Germans Of both the
North and the South, knowing that their wiser
or more fortunate brethren have found home
in the New World, have become less interested
in possible foreign wars. Whether Prussia or
Austria shall be mistress of Germany, or
whether Germany shall be mistress Of France,
are questions subordinate to this other ques-
tion-whether Germans would not be more
happy ont Of Germany than in it. Great
Britain, true to her ancient policy, goes on
with reform; and although emigration does
not decrease either in Ireland, England or
Scotland, the state Of feeling is such, both
among the people and their rulers, that there
is small chance of either domestic or foreign
war.
In France and in Spain matters are quite
different. Both of those countries may be
said to be in the agonies of revolution.
What changes are about to take place in the
one and the other it is impossible to predict.
For twenty years Napoleon has governed
France with hand more vigorous than yield
ing. His hand il now somewhat relaxed in its
grip; but it is, perhaps, more q voluntary
than compulsory relaxing. He has listened
to the clainors of the people; he has thought
of the welfare Of his dynasty, and particularly
OF the prospects Of his son; and, knowing
that it was better to make COSMOS if possible,
during his lite than to leave chaos for GER
tainty at his death, has deemed it wise, in
advancing years and in falling health, to do
the best he can. No man Of intelligence
who has watched Napoleon for the last twenty
years can refuse to admit that he has been
the master OF the French people, and that on
the whole he has used his immense power
wisely and well. The reforms which he has
granted to the French people, and which are
still on their trial. have commanded respect in
France, and, indeed, all the world over. AS
we have just said, these reforms are OH their
trial, France is passing through a crisis, and
the result is yet doubtful.
1t is scarcely otherwise with SPAIN 1t is
now well nigh year and half since the
Spanish people rose as one man and shook off
the Bourbon yoke, compelling Isabella and
her satellites to make quick time and seek
home where they might. The Spanish revolu-
ton was hailed with delight. 1t seemed TO be
the resurrection Of once noble but long
downtrodden and dispirited race. Men
remembered the days Of Ferdinand and Isa-
bella, when Spain was more full Of energy
than all the nations of Europe combined-the
times of Charles the Fifth and of Phillip the
Second, when Spain was virtually the mistress
of the whole earth, the sun never setting on
her soil. The revolution was 50 clean, so
complete, the sentiment of the people was so
unanimous that the conviction was general
that new force had been given to the age,
and that Spain was about to take her place
once again, and that worthily, in the family Of
great nations. There were doubling spirits,
we admit; but in view of facts these, If not
convinced, were compelled to keep silence.
During all these anxious months the doubters
and the believers have waited and to-day it
does seem as if the contemned doubters had
the best of it. Spain has not come up to the
expectations entertained Of her thirteen
months ago. Spain is not to-day happier or
more prosperous than she was under Isabella.
The revolution, which gave Prim command of
the navy and which, nominally at least, made
Serrano the chief of the State, is still in pro-
gress. 1t has been a long, weary, proftless
interregnum, and to-day no one can tell how
near or how far distant is the end
Our latest news from France shows that
Napoleon has other difficulties to contend with
than the difficulties created by the sin or rash
folly Of his cousin or by the implacable enmi-
ties of Henri Rochefort and the radicals. The
French people are divided on certain great COM
mercial questions. Free trade is demanded by
one class of manufacturers. Protection is de-
manded by another. Free trade for years past
has been the favorite policy of the Emperor.
But the win Of Napoleon is no longer supreme;
the people are no longer to be dictated TO; and
now that feeling on both sides is keen, the
question is, which party will VIM SO serious