The New York herald., 1870-07-08
Tho Spanish Throne Questien-Franco and
Prus~ia-Is II % DO Wars

Every reader of history remembers the War OF
the Succession--a war which resulted from
| the accession of Bourbon TO the throne Of
Charles the Fifth which lasted some eleven
| years and which resulted in the celebrated
treaty Of Utrecht. Men still living remember
1 the famous Spanish marriages and the Euro
| pean commoti0n which those marriages beg0t.
| In the latter case Europe did not go to war |;
but Europe never was so warlike without
drawing the sword. The treaty of Utrecht
4 O7l3) provided thar the French and Spanish
crowns should remain separate. The Spanish
marriages CS4G) which made Montpensier a
| Spanish prince was in open violation Of the
former treaty. In 1S48 NJ. Guizot was very
clever, although somewhat unprincipled; but
in lS4s NJ. Guizot saw the fruit OF his folly in
the fight of his master, King Louis Philippe.
! Once again the Spanish throne commands
the attention of Europe Once again it has
made war more than possibility. To-day 1T
| is not to be denied that mems minds are filed
with the war idea and another War OF the
Succession in Spain is one Of the likelihoods OF
the present The Prussian Prince who has
been offered and who has accepted the Spanish
crown has given new feature to European
politics. Day by day the situation becomes
more and more clearly defined. Prince Leo
pold is willing to accept the risks Of the pecu-
liar position. So far as we know Spain is
willing to give him trial. rumor having II
that three-fourths of the Cortes are favorable to
him. But France will not have it at all. The
Duke de Grammont, Napoleon's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, emphatically declares that no
Prussian Prince shall sit on the throne OF
Charles the Fifth Meanwhile the French op-
position openly accuses the government of
acting double and deceitful part--of
first giving its encouragement to
this Hohenzolern affair, and then on
the issue threatening to plunge the nation
into war. AT the same time we learn that
Topete, the man who even more than Prim
made the revolution a success, disgusted with
the conduct of Prim, has expressed his prefe
renee for Alphonso, the Prince Of the Asturias,
TO any German. The picture is thus lively
enough. One other man besides Montpensier
is willing TO accept the Spanish throne. But
the Spanish people will have him. The oppo-
sition Of Topcte is to ms Of far greater i'm
portance than the appreciation Of the Cortes.
Both are rumors but the one rumor, from the
very nature of the case, has an air of reality
which the other has not. We cannot say that
Spain accepts this man for king any more than
that she accepts Moutpensier or the Prince of
the Asturias. In the event OF his candidacy
being pushed civil war is certainty. So
much for Spain herself. But look at France.
The nation is in fever heat. Napoleon Is
again pronounced too slow. Bismarck has
outwitted him. It is another national humilia-
ton. 1t is worse than Sadowa. France, so
long the centre Of Europe, the pivot Of Euro
| pean life, is now reduced to second rate
position The cry is for war. The newspa-
| pers again talk about Rhine boundaries. Bot
| Prussia speaks in constitutional terms. She
says, as is alleged to-day, that. the govern
| ment in Berlin will accept accomplished
| facts" in Spain. Such is the actual situation.
What is to be the issue? Is it to be peace
or war? Is Spain, after all, to give new life to
Europe? In answering these questions one or
| two points need to be borne in mind. 1t ought
to be remembered that no king can be chosen
for Spain who is not first of all approved of by
the Emperor Napoleon. 1t ought also to be
remembered that in this matter Napoleon will
follow his usual plan-he will consult and
abide by the wishes of the French people.
These two facts borne in mind it becomes tol-
erably clear that if Spain pushes this matter
Spain will place herself in antagonism to
France. If Prussia should feel insuled
by the tone of the French press-more,
if Prussia should feel compelled to bid def
ance to the naughty language of the Duke
de Grammont, it will not be at all
wonderful if some of these fine morn
ings the Rhine should seem on fire, and
those beautiful provinces that line its banks
should be given up prey to horrid war.
War begun on this question will, as q French
Deputy well put it in the Chambers two days
ago, be war on the part of France against
the rest of Europe. Austria, to-day strict
neutral, it Is not impossible, might 60 with
France; but in such an emergency Austria
would be worthless, and, so far as we can see,
France would be without any other ally.
Russia, although in receipt of special des-
patches from Paris to- day would, most likely,
stand aloof. Russia would compel Austria to
be neutral, although it is said that the Vienna
Cabinet has made an alliance with France
If Prussia stood by Spain Spain would have
no choice but stand by Prussia. Italy would
not be sorry to see some such row. We do
not say that Victor Emanuel would take any
undue advantage Of it; but the time might be
found convenient for driving the French SOL
diers and the Sacred College, not to speak of
the Pope and the bishops now in council, out
of the Holy City. Great Britain, of course,
will simply look on. On no account will the