The New York herald., 1873-10-14
THE SITUATION IN SPAIN,
Interview with Admiral Polo. the
Spanish Minister.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE REPUBLIC
Comments on the InSurrec.
ton in Cuba.

The improving prospects Of the present govern
ment OF Spain are inspiring fresh hopes to many
thoughtful Americans who wish for the success or
the republican form of government in other
lands besides our own. The struggle In spain
acquires additional interest In this country from
the fact that 1t cannot but have lasting and
decisive influence upon the Spanish colonies In
America, chiefly on the island OF Cuba, which Is
only few hours sail from our Southern shores.
In order TO obtain additional Information on tho
situation In Spain the writer called yesterday on
Admiral Polo de Bernabe, the Spanish Minister, at
the Clarendon Hotel. Admiral Polo, though speak,
ing with great reserve, consented to give In Q
general way his views on affairs IN Spain. The
writer began with the remark
"Do you think, Admiral, that the latest events In
Spain tend TO give the Republic permanent char
acterfn
II cannot forecast the future, out think that
the republican government has lately received
some valuable accessions to Its ranks consid-
cradle portion OF the conservative element, some
OF the most influential men in Spain among the
number have declared In Its favor. This Is partly
due to
THE MODERATION SHOWN By SENIOR CASTELAR,
He has certainly disappointed those who regarded
him as a mere enthuslast-as an mpracticable ora
tor or doctrinatre. By his demand OF extraordi-
nary powers OF the Cortes he has shown that he
appreciates the value of vigorous measures in great
emergencies. He understands the perils OF the
situation and Is now making determined light
alike against the demagogues who would emulate
the excesses OF the Paris Commune and against
the men who would bring back to Spain the tyr.
amy OF bygone ages Iregard IL as an especially
favorable sign for CASTELAR, that he has succeeded
in rallying around him some OF the old conserva.
tives Of the country-men who, though monarchi-
cal in sentiment, yet willing TO give their sup
nor IN tha Dan ic RI vnid w n a
THE WORSE EvII.-NAMELY, CARLIsM,
which means the reign OF fanaticism.n
"Then your opinion is that the Carists have no
chance Of succeedingf"
"With strong government at Madrid CArlisrn
will melt like snow in springtime. Though greatly
favored by the revolt OF the demagogues, the Carl
lists never had much strength; in TACT, great deal
less than they received credit for In some OF the
American papers,"
'Do you think, then, Admiral, that the present
republican government in Spain will sncceed"
II hope SO; but few things are certain In th1a
world. never claimed to be prophet in my own
country; still less am inclined to play the part OF
prophet at this distance from 1t. Itis however,
safe to say that, whatever may be her ultimate
form of government Spain will not return to the
despotsm OF the past"
.But will not events In France shape the course
of Spana Is it not likely that the establishment oi
q monarchy in France-which seems now highly
propable-woud bring about the same result IN
Spainr
.Events IN France will undoubtedly exercise soma
influence in Spain, but perhaps much less than ls
generally supposed. There may be q monarchy in
France and a republic in Spain. In 1s4s, when
nearly all Europe was ablaze when France waa
distracted by q revolution,
EVERYTHING WAS QUIET IN SPAIN
Those events did not seem to affect our people tu
the slightest degree. Spain is in this respect favor
ably situated. She has all the products OF the soil
which make her independent OF other countries.
In spite OF the many destructive wars which she
has suffered she has resources left within herself
to work out her own destiny"
"What is your opinion, Admiral Of the insurrec.
tion in Cuba2
81 do not think the insurgents have gained any
material advantages in spite OF all that may have
been said to the contrary. They are not better Oh
now than they were before. Some people whA
regarded the position OF the Spanish government
as very desperate few months ago thought
that the insurgents would seize the opportunity
to materially strengthen themselves; but If there
were such an opportunity the insurgents have GER
tainly not seized 1t. 1t was then said that the
Spanish government could not spare any troops
for Cuba, and therefore the insurgents would have
it all to themselves. Whatever may have been the
aspect OF AFFAIRS then, IL Is certainly different now.
Reinforcements have since arrived in Cuba. But
the TACT Is, that
IF SPAIN DID NOT SEND SINGLE SOLDIER
the insurgents could not achieve what they profess
to want-namely, the independence OF the island.
The greater part OF the inhabitants OF Cuba are
against them. The loyal people are strong enough
and numerous enough to put the insurrection
down. or at least to prevent 1t from assuming for
midabe proportions The larger and richer part
Of the island is entirely free from it, and, far.
the insurgents have not been able to hold any for
titled place or port or city, even In that depart.
ment which is supposed to be the heart Of the In
surrection."
Admiral Polo brought the interview to Gloss
with the foregoing remark saying that he had
nothing further to tell that would be OF interest to
the HERALD or to the American public.