The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-25
CHARACTERIZATION OF tho Alfonsists
and MOntpensferists-An Alfonsist
Rising Expected.

and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Alfonsist
Rising Expected.
All our latest news from Spain encourages
the belief that clouds and darkness are again
gathering over that unhappy country. Most
certainly we are not permitted to believe that
time is improving the situation. despatch,
special to the HERALD, informs us that an
agreement has been come to between the Duke
Of Montpensier and the adherents of Isabella.
Alfonso is to be King, Montpensier acting as
Regent during the Princes minority. The
compact is to be sealed by Alfonso marrying
his cousin, the youngest daughter of Mont
pensier, and the Infanta Marie Louise Ferdi-
n&nde The ex-Queen Isabella, it is said,
accepts the programme. Should this report
prove to be correct, it is undeniable that
the cause of Alfonso will be greatly
strengthened.
From other sources we learn that the
Carlist instruction Yin the North is
much more serious and alarming than
was supposed. The action at the Heights of
Miravalles was one of the most vigorous
which has been fought since the outbreak of
the instruction. On the Oarlist side there
we're engaged not fewer than one thousand
five hundred men, who, though finally re-
pulsed, fought long and with great stubborn
ness In some parts of the North the Carlsts
are still out in considerable force; and the de-
struction of railway stations and bridges
reveals the determination with which they
mean to carry on the conflict. Letters from
Madrid, from well informed parties, state
that an Alfonsist rising is expected to take
place during the carnival. The soldiers of
the garrison of Madrid are said to be in con-
dition bordering on characterization, the Off
GERS being either unable or unwilling to exer-
else such authority as is necessary to the
maintenance of discipline The republicans,
as we already know, are not agreed among
themselves, some of them being in favor
of centralized, and others of them
being in favor of a federal, republic.
All things considered it is not at all wonder
full that a feeling of insecurity should prevail
among the peaceably disposed citizens of
strength of the factions makes the outlook
gloomy.
In the present situation of affairs in Spain,
and with the light which we enjoy, it is i'm
possible to predict with certainty what is to
be the immediate future of that unhappy
country We are willing to hope the best for
the Republic. 1t is impossible however, to
refuse to admit that the detection of the radi-
calls is not an encouraging sign for the final
success Of the present republican effort. Time
and again in these columns we have said that
no one of the factions was strong enough to
rule, and that one of the curses of Spain was
that coalition government, which is q prime
necessity is found, after fresh experiment. to
be an impossibility. 1t was the coalition of
the Unionists and Progressists which brought
Amadeus to the Spanish throne, and which, for
time encouraged hopes of his success. TWAS
not long, however, until the Unionists retired,
and until Sagasta, at the head of the Progress
lists, was compelled to lean upon the Radi-
Gals. Sagasta and his friends soon went the
way of Serrano and his, and Zorrilla and his
radicals came to the front The circle is COM
plete. Zorrilla is gone with his royal master,
and the situation now is only little worse
than it was after the fight of Isabella. A
general election might strengthen the Repub-
lie, but it is just as likely that general cleo
ton will lead to confusion worse COMPOUNDED.
Spain, we fear, has much to learn and much
to suffer before she attains q good and solid
government, with the blessings of peace,
happiness and prosperity. To conquer, Span
ish noliticians must learn first of all to stoop
If all the factions would win at the same time
Spain must suffer more and more. In the
present crisis Caesar or Cromwell might be
a blessing Out of the present troubles Of
Spain one consolation comes-Cuba ought to
find her opportunity.