The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-30
OPINIONS OF THE CHURCH MILITANT.
Basque Devotion to Church,
King and Country.
PREACHING WITH THE SWORD

tired or admiration according to the political SYM
pathles OF those who utter it.
had LEFT Murieta three days after the battle OF
Puerta de Eraul, In company with priest bearing
dispatches nom General DOrregaray to the King,
az DON Carlos Is invariably termed by his adher.
ents There were also In our party the Marquis
OF Valdez spina, whose arm had been disabled by
q bavonet thrust, and several other officers
OF various grades, all OF whom were
going to the hidden hospitals which are
concealed In two or three almost unknown
mountain villages near the frontier. The highways
aud towns being filed almost daily by the enemy's
cavalry and carabtneros, we were compelled to take
the mountain paths, most Of them trodden only by
Basque shepherds and their Jocks Your corre-
spondent has had considerable experience in bad
roads. He crossed the Isthmus OF Panama in 1850.
and no one ever called that good road. He trav-
elled the Nicaragua route in 1852 and nobody, ex-
cept Marshall 0. Roberts, ever considered that an
agreeable highway OF travel. Your correspondent
has followed in his day most Of the vexatious mule
trails Of the sierras in Northern California but 1t
remained for this memorable ride from the Carlist
headquarters to the French frontier to impress
fully upon his mind how difficult and dangerous q
road may be, and still be passable.
DODGING THE REPUBLICAN, COLUMN.
About two hours after leaving Murieta we were
informed by the peasantry Of little village that
the enemy's cavalry were destroying bridge only
half an hours distance, ana that two columns OF
republican troops were marching from Pampeluna
to intercept Dorregaray and to eface the disgrace
of Puerta de Eraul. The priest, who acted as
leader OF our party-and a very fit one, too he
made, having been a captain of cavalry during the
Seven Years. War-at once turned or into a rocky
gorge in the mountains 1t seemed q cal dc sac,
with perpendicular walls OF rock about five hun
Is.-h
going there to conceal ourselves; but the priest
rode steadily on, and upon nearing the base OF the
cliff there appeared narrow thread Of rocky path
which zigzaged up with short turns, each plat
form being supported by an artificial wall OF
strongly cemented stones. l thought at first 1
preferred the enemy's cavalry, but as every one
else, including the wounded seemed to consider 1t
matter OF course, made no comment, save to
dsmount In order that might more fully enjoy
the scenery. This sort of thing was kept up for
two days and one night, with only the variations
OF descent instead OF ascent.
THE FIGHTING PRIEST NO MYTH.
At Oroquieta we learned that the celebrated
cure, Santa Cruz, was at San Estevan with his
band. and would probably remain all day and
night. This was an opportunity not TO be neg
lected. 1t has been the aim and ambition OF all
representatives Of foreign journals along the
French and Spanish frontiers to obtain o personal
were deferred by his well known aversion to the
press, which has so much maligned him. and
others, after two or three weeks Ruthless chase,
gave up the search. declaring Santa Cruz to be
myth. Having obtained a letter OF recommendation
from the Marquis OF valde.Espina, who is chief of
staff OF the army OF which the band OF Santa Cruz
forms part, started for San Estevan, where
arrived at about -four. ?. M. and found not
only the redoubtabe cure himself but also large
reinforcement OF newly armed men, going to join
Dorregaray. An officer OF the detachment whom
happened to have met previously in Bayonne
Santa Cruz he Is called by his men. had billeted
himself in the house OF the Alcalde and upon being
ushered into large, dmly lighted. cool room. with
bare polished floor and high ceiling saw standing
before me robust, sturdy man, about five feet ten
inches in height, with coarse, bushy, black beard
all about his lace; his hair was cropped short. In
his hand he grasped bundle OF letters, which
learned afterwards were reports from the Alcaldes
and secret agents of neighboring villages.
RELIGIOUS FIELD WORK IN THE BASQUE PROVINCES.
First, before proceeding with the personal details
OF nv interview, let me say word regarding the
known as his present distinction merits. He was
born in the village OF Elduayen, in the province OF
for tSe prehooa and IN 1865 was made Of
Hernialde little village near the town OF Toloso.
In 1868 he commenced his career as Carlist chief,
having become convinced that he could serve the
Holy Church better in the field than at the altar.
There were plenty to pray, but few TO fight, and
iukewarm parishioners an example, For three
years now he has traversed the five Basque prov
inces, melting the men to take up arms and the
women to form societies for the Succ0r OF the
wounded; levying contributions on town here,
hanging a recalcitrant Alcalde there, and scatter
troops and officials everywhere, until his name
and fame has attracted more men to his
banner than the Carllst junta can find guns or
even pixies Tor. i Will now return to the Cure
whom I left regarding me with an inquisitive but
by no means uniriendy glance. Politely notion
ing to a seat he read my letter OF introduction,
bowed at its conclusion and remarked that the
Marquis was q good officer and q good soldier and
hoped that his wound would soon permit hum to
tf,h DIN ffaa N a uQ vur6 30
marked, with a slight smile. that he had not been
honored by the visits OF many journalists and that
he was very glad to welcome me to his quarters. l
judged this fitting moment TO explain the pur-
pose Of my mission, to which statement he listened
very nv na t replied lS sa no
ability. but was also very glad Of an opportunity
to reiute in q great journal the MANY falsehoods
which mad been circulated concerning him. AS
the remainder OF conversation, or at least that
portion Of II which Is Of general interest, con;
shorten this account TO put 1t in that shape.
PROSPECTS OF CARLIsM
CoRREsPoNDENr-Do you believe, General, that
there Is mere enthusiasm among the people OF
Spain for the present movement IN favor OF Don
Carlos than there was in the Seven Years, War;
SANTA CRUZ-Much more-much more. The seven
Years. war was more a movement or the mobiles
and the politicians aided by large treasury. The
present movement Is one Of the people and yeri
spain into the hands OF Don Carlos. Certainly 1t
would not go to the republicans. In the Basque
is not Carlist as their fathers and grandfathers
were before them, except few traitors among the
shopkeepers In the large towns where government
interest prevails. The misguided men who attempt
TO make Spain a republic well know they cannot
succeed, But they are driving the country to de.
Sy,nction only through fear II they halt now the
Wsiihd and Barcelenese wolves at their heels VIII
re ropr ppNDENr-The you think that Don Carlos
viii Ip EVENT. alIy be King Of SPAIN ,nm
SANTA Chu :. equip and pay the number OF men
we conld nut in Geld within two months there
Would MOI ue rh"coSs. They are either at heart
aIroyys an or Cariists. yle men are mutnons
and dscontened and are <esoy 70 70 ead tne e
strong man with sufficient cha are men of ideas
and theories. They are not men Voaent chance
Alfonso Is too young TO have any pr 'sSA' S""AS'
= STRENGTH or THE ROYAL FORCES vou IN
Cam COMMUNICATION many men have ~ ~