The New York herald., 1870-04-07


country, and the people viii never begrudgs a
hundred thousand or two hundred thousand
dollars for the purpose.
spain-1Nhe Ccnncripsion Excitement.
The revolutionary excilemont In Spain has
lasted so long and SO little has come Of 1t that,
despite the fact that Spain stands on The very
verge Of the widest kind Of anarchy, Spanish
news all the world over is read with absolute
Indifference.
| 1t deserves again TO be noted that the situa-
tion in Spain is really critical. Several recent
events have added TO the gravity Of the crisis.
The Montpensier- Bourbon duel, Prim's missr-
able attempt to strike out Montpensier from
the list of royal candidates in consequence
thereof, the opposition Of the unionists TO N.
Flguerola's budget, Prim's wild language ia
the Chambers in regard to the attempt made
upon his life, and the inconsistent but tenn
porarily successful appeal he made to the
radicals to come to the rescue against the
unionists-these and other circumstances have
prepared US for violence; and although tho
violence has been postponed 1t has been difficult
for any one who was watching the situation
not to feel convinced that violent and bloody
crisis was at hand. Our news Of yesterday
and to-day shows that it has como at last.
The conscription has been unpopular from the
outset, and the unpopularity Of the measure
has rested mainly on Prim. On Monday last
the conscription law came into operation.
tn, Ir;I iot h,f
risings were reported in various parts of the
country, particularly in Barcelona. Barricades
were erected by the insurgents; there were COL
lision and bloodshed, and as many as ten men
were reported killed. From despatch which
we print to-day 1t appears that order
has been restored at Blrcelona, but not with
out struggle and considerable loss Of life 1t
is deeply suggestive fact that the whole pro-
vince of Barcelona has been proclaimed in
state Of siege.
The demoralized state Of things in Spain Is
strikingly illustrated by Prim's language in the
Cortes, when alluding to the person who
struck him. eff had seen him." said Prim,
81 would have killed him. In the times
through which we are passing let 1t be known
am always prepared to kill on the spot hip
who lays his hand on me. Such language in
such place and from man who holds the
position of Prim is sad commentary on things
as they are in Spain. We can no longer won
der at the Montpensier- Bourbon duel. nor
would 1t greatly surprise us the rumor
proved to be true that duel 10 possible
between Serrano and Prim, although it is our
belief that Serrano has more sense.
The temporary alliance between the radicals
and the progressistas has no doubt prolonged
the life of the present government. But when
we remember that Prim is at tho head Of the
progressistas, and that Serrano is the undis-
puted chief Of the unionists, and that the two
are no longer on good terms, it is extremely
difficult to see how the present anomalous
government can last. Serrano, In virtue of
his office, can dlzmlss Prim; but Prim counts
on the army, and therefore Serrano hestates.
If matters get worse we shall hear Of the re-
call from Cuba Of De Rodas, who is unionist,
and perhaps the only man who could divide
the Spanish army with Prim. What with
Carlists, who know what they want; with re-
publicans, who know what they want; with
unionists and progresssts nominally In unison
but really at daggers drawn with q people
almost universally disadected, with trade para
lyzed, with debt already oppressive and in
crcasing at rate ofspeed that almost baflss cal
culation, the prospect in Spain cannot be called
promising. A coup d'ts0s by Prim Or by Ser
rano may happen at any moment. Poor
Spain! Is it not time that some foreign
Power were taking her by the hand and giving
her peace?