The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-06
= Hohcnxollern Princo-Grcat Excitement
In Madrid and In Paris.

In Madrid and In Paris.
| Our Spanish news this morning is moro than
usually interesting. 1t was rumored that
Prim had offered the vacant throne to a Prus-
sian prince, Of the Hohenzollern- Sigmaringen
line. The name of the prince is Leopold. He
Of the First Napoleon, the brilliant cavalry
officer and afterwards the unfortunate King OF
Naples. His father is the chief of the house
Of nzollern-Sigmaringen. His mother,
who was known as the Viscountess de Beau
harnais, was an adopted daughter of the first
Napoleon. The Prince Leopold is Catholic
and was born in 1885. A later cable despatch
states that the excitement was great in Madrid,
the people denouncing the government and
declaring that no descendant Of Murat would
ever wear the Spanish crown. 1t is added
that the government had officially denied hav-
ing made any but confidential overtures to a
foreign prince, whose name it was not yet
| proper to divulge. 1t would seem that at one
| time the excitement was almost as great in
Paris as in Madrid.
in so far as it affects the very peculiar difficult
ties which lie in the way of a satisfactory set
tlement of this Spanish throne question. We
do not doubt that overtures have been made
to the Prussian prince. But we do not believe
they were made with any sincerity Of
purpose. 1t is manifest at glance that
in getting up this cry about a Hohenzolern it
was the object of Prim and the Spanish gov
eminent to brighten the Spanish people into a
good feeling towards the Prince Of the
Asturias. II would not be difficult to show
good reason why such an arrangement is
simply impossible. A Prussian prince on the
throne Of Spain would by one stroke overturn
all the schemes and plans of Napoleon, while
it would prove for Prussia grander victory
by far than Sadowa. 1t would proclaim to all
the world that Bismarck, having made himself
master Of Germany had taken the Latin races
in hand and that he had made bold but most
successful commencement. No one knows so
well as Prim that SO long as Napoleon is in the
field-nay, that so long as the French people
are what they are, Hohenzollern on the
Prim has his reasons for this dodge, and if his
own purposes are seconded 10y it the Hohen-
zollern bugaboo will not have been raised in
vain.
To our minds it is perfectly clear that the
Spanish throne question is settled. That it is
settled few can doubt who have been watchful
Of the progress Of events in Spain. So long
as Queen Isabella refused to abdcate some
Importance was to be attached to the various
candidates. Since her resignation the ques-
ton as to who is to be the next occupant of the
Spanish throne is settled. There is or ought
to be no doubt about it. 1t is clear to
our mind that the Queens abdica-
ton was sanctioned and encouraged, if
not advised, by Napoleon. 1t is also
clear to our mind that the Queen did not
abdicate without good and satisfactory reasons.
In sacrificing herself she could have no sufl-
cient reason but one. She might have re-
manned Queen of Spain till her dying day
and no doubt she would, had she not been
assured that by abandoning her own rights she
improved the chances of her son. 1t is to be
remembered, too, that the abdication, which
took place in the presence of men who are in
the confidence of the Emperor Napoleon, was
in favor of the Prince of the Asturias. NapO-
leon is not the man to betray woman in dis
tress Besides, it ought to be remembered
that his consent is absolutely essential to the
appointment Of any successor to Queen Isabella.
He cannot accept Montpensier; for by so
doing he would strengthen the cause Of the
Orleanists, and that is the reason why Mont
pensier has not long since been proclaimed
king. He cannot accept Don Carlos; for that
would be to go back upon the principles which
made him what he is. He cannot have either
an Austrian or Prussian prince on the Span
ish throne; for that would strengthen his natu-
raj enemies and the hereditary rivals of
France He will not sanction the election of
an Italian prince, for the simple reason that
he has done quite enough for Italy already.
He is Indifferent to the union of the Peninsula
because he sees that union at present is impos-
sible. But the Prince of the Asturias is q young
man who has q right to his mothers throne,
who ought not to be held guilty of his mothers
faults, who is likely to remember his benefactor,
and who would be free from foreign and dy-
nastic entanglements; and therefore Napoleon
sees in him means of strengthening his own
position and of making more secure the posi-
ton of his son. OF course we ought not to
ignore the Spanish people and their rights. Nor
do we. 1t is our conviction that Spain would
hail the proclamation of the Prince as the best
of tidings, and would welcome him back to the
palace of his ancestors as the English people
welcomed back Charles the Second. 1t has
always been our opinion that if Prim did not
succeed in playing the part Of Cromwell he
would, at least, attempt the role Of Monk.
Events seem to justify our opinion. AS Spain