The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-27
The War In spain-Gsrmany the New
Arbi{er Of Europe.

Our latest news from Spain reveals q situas
ton little altered. The chaotic condition re-
mains, and if there be any difference at all it
points in the direction of wilder confusion.
A. special HERALD telegram, dated in
ths camp in Catalonia, reports the
war nrsauess of the Carlists against
the constitutes government of Spain. The
Bourbonists under Don Alfonso have cap
tured, after slight resistance the city OF
Reus. in Catalonia, the seconls municipality
of Importance after Barcelona. I.'e resist
ance Of the republicans was feeble. Bar elona
is threatened. 1t is even now almost isolate'
from communication with the government GEN.
tres. Igualago has fallen to the royalists, and
Figueras' position at Corona is critical
French refugees, able-bodied men, are cross
ing the frontier line in large numbers. They
are forced into the service of Don Alfonso if
they do not join his army voluntarily. And
so the war goes on.
It is difficult to know what to say Of Spain as
Spain now is, or what to predict-of her future. A
more completely demoralized country perhaps
never existed. Most certainly not one of the So
called civilized countries has, in modern times,
presented SO sad q spectacle. The bill sup
pressing the Admiralty and just passed by the
Cortes may not, all things considered, be
either very wise or very prudent measure;
but, conceived and carried through in The in
terests of national economy, it ought not, per-
haps TO be handed over to unqualified CEN
sure. Spain, most people think, still needs
her navy; but if, in the judgment of the
men now in power, the national life
can only be preserved by great sacri-
fees, we ought to judge her gently
for making what the most thoughtful
must regard as a great mistake. If the
National Cortes had made vigorous effort to
pay the sailors the Cartagena affair would
not have happened. The suppression of the
Admiralty is almost certain to lead to further
mutiny, and even Germany may find it hard
to capture all the well-armed Spanish pirates.
Germany, however, has taken part in the
contest, and it remains to be seen how far Bis
marck and the Emperor William are prepared
to sustain the conduct of their representa-
tives. The world has not forgotten the cause
of the late Franco-G German war. There are
not few well qualified to form an opinion
who think that it might have been better for
Spain to-day and not whit worse for France
if Leopold of Hohenzollern had been allowed
quietly to mount the throne of Ferdinand the
Catholic of Charles the Fifth and of Philip
the Second. Has the German government
again been approached? Is there section of
the Spanish people still in favor of Leopold2
Has the approval Of Bismarck and his master
been obtainedp We cannot answer the ques-
tons in the affirmative; but we dare not say
that Prince Leopold, with German army at
his back, might not be o positive blessing to
Spain. Without q German army at his back
Leopold, we may rest assured, will never enter
Madrid. If Spain wants him, and if the Ger
man government consents, what Power is
there in the world TO say "No2" The Carta-
gena affair and the action of Contreras may
be part of well conceived plot or it may be
bad blunder. In either case, however, it gives
Germany her opportunity. Since the downfall
of Isabella the Republic has twice failed.
The Italian dynasty, as all the world knows,
was no success. A sturdy Teuton, himself
good Catholic, backed up by the entire
strength of the German Empire-mipht not
that prove the resurrection of Spain? We do
not forget Don Carlos, but we know that Don
Carlos, at Madrid will not settle the Spanish
difficulty.