New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-01


ter for the Colonies hot discussion followed. The
Porto Ricans wrapped up the word humbugr in q
TRANSPARENT clean cover and declared they were
tired of these delays and would return to the island
and Law the whole before their constituents.
Becerra demurred TO any further delay on the
ground of his standing committed TO these reforms,
the project being quite ready, and an assured majO-
rity in the Cores independent of the UniOnsts The
final result agreement to let the question stand
for fortnight, BeCcra, however, declaring that
if any further pOstponement took place he would
resign Office Whether he would do it is extremely
doubtful; his anteccdents do not warrant the con-
clusiOn. lie was originally rcd-hot democrat of
strong republican proClvities, and owes his present
advancement from the position he held as very
indifferent professor of mathematics to that Of Colo
NAL Minister, without any intermediate apprentice
ship to the art of government, to his having fought
of his present colleagues of the mdyorG behind
the barricades of 1896. He is not trusted and it is
believed that he would run his nose into any corner
rather than give up Office
The explanation of Prims message is simply ire
newed intrigue of the Unonists. They are in league
with Caballero de Rodas who is a UniOnist General
and-as you have already been informed-with the
Pro-Slavery party. Prim has, it is alleged received
intimatiOn that the Galatians and Basdn6s IN CuOa
who constitute the volunteer force and the other
Spaniards there, who are defraying the cost of the
war; are violently opposed to the Ministerial measure
and that Prim is apprehensive of further compica
ton of the Cuban difficulty should he proceed with
Becerra's motion. 1t is than probable that con-
siderable pressure from this quarter has been brought
to bear upon the only functiOnary possessing the
power of arbitrary inhibition, but there is
also reason to believe that the desire TO tackle
the question of colonial reform, involving as it
does that of emancipation, lies at tho root of all
this peddling 1t is known that petition from the
plantocacy of Cuba has been presented to the Minis
try praying for a postponement of the matter, and
this afternoon BeceTa was asked whether the Gov
intended to pay any attention to it, or pur-
posed keeping its word and proceeding with its
promise BeceTa replied that Government intended
TO proceed, being determined to introduce those
political, economic, and social reforms to which
the inhabitants of Porto Rico have great right
This seems plain and firm enough but il Is so clear
that the fight for the sape reforms in Cuba is to take
place on the field of Porto Rico supposes the
the pantocracy of the larger island viii yield with
out fierce struggle. Porto Rico freed of Slavery,
il must 90 in Cuba.
Serrano has been away and is still at his hunting
seat near Seville. He has been entertaining con-
siderable company, including several generals and
officers, all of the UniOnist party MOntpensler Is
in the neighbOrhOOd and there strange rmors OF
secret interviews in the forest and midnight confer
ences in the castle We hear that Sagasta-actual
Minister for Foreign Afars-is to leave for Seville
this evening to join Seuano and his party. But as
Sagasta is Progressist and has-at least PROCESSES
no sympathy with Montpensier, it seems an odd cir
cumstauce he should mix himself up in any way
with an almost exclusively Unionist conclave 1t is
thought that MOntpensiePs candidature being now
more than ever impossible, sort of council has been
held yOnder by his supporters. with ANEW TO demon
.trate 70 the Duke the utter futility of any further
attempt to place him OH the throne and to induce
him formally to renounce his pretensionS Sagastas
counsel may add weight to the recommendation, or
as he has already more than once exhibited his
adroitness at political thmble-riGging-he may have
been tempered with, and his adhesion to Montpen-
sier has become mere question of price. Bnt no
mower save that of fire and sword will bring in Mont
pensier.
The question of ways and means is daily becoming
more embarrassing FIgueroa IS at his wits end for
money the taxes cannot be collected and the whole
army of employ6sIwhich prcys upon the country is
clamoring for pay. In the teeth OF this financial
difficulty, we have an augmented budget, and the
army and navy estimates swellcd beyond all proper
tons, exceeding what they were under the despotlc
rule of Navarez, O'DOnnell, and Gonzales Bravo.
The levy Of for the army for the present year IS
to be 10000 of whom 10000 are for active service,
10000 for the first reserve, and the remaining 10000
for the second reserve. The term of active service
is five years and four years each in the two reserves
The CONSUMPTION, therefore, is in full swing,
and this in spite of the promises of min
listers last year, and of the revolutionary
programme of Cadiz, that the qatdS should be abol-
ished. No more shameful breach of faith was ever
perpetrated Prim affects TO believe in another Car
list rising, but Sagasta was more candid when, IN
reply TO a TemOnstrance from the Republican side, he
averred that larger armed force necessary to
cOunterbalance any disaeciOn in the ranks, and to
be better prepared to deal with Republican rioters"
The bitterness of party spirit breaks out these
casiOns with viTulence which denotes continually
widening breach and although things hold together
no one forete when the explosion, so long iIDm
nent will take place 1t impossible the actual state
of matters can endure. Every day revelations
are taking place in the COrtes of the INSCRIPTIONS
means those in authority have employed to crush ont
the popular sentiment and day by day the moral in
Auence of the men is thereby deprecated. In the
meanwhile, there are evidences of the awakening of
the Republicans to the necessity of organiza-
ton. This is difficult for a party without the
substantial means of carrying out propaganda sys-
tematically, and the Republican sentiment must be
strong indeed throughout the country, which proves
itself able, not only TO contend against official
persecntion but to maintain its own, with occasional
victories over its opponents 1t is singular fact
that a vast number of professed Progressistas avow
themselves TO be in favor of republic as the only
solution of the present difficulty. but they say the
country is not prepared for it, These are more dan
gerous foes of the Republic than open enemies, for
were they TO act up TO their professions, they would
form a party of order, and carry the Republic
triumphantly through. No one now believes in