The New York herald., 1874-08-08
spain and Germany.

It is stated ON seemingly good authority that
treaty, offensive and defensive, has been con-
cluded between Germany, Italy and Spain.
The existence Of some understanding be-
tween the Madrid government and Germany
has been for some time suspected, but, follow
ing its traditions. the government of Berlin has
repeatedly denied that there was any founda-
ton for the report The advantages to be de-
rived from an alliance with Spain were too
patent to escape the attention of German
statesmen. The conduct of the French gov
ernment in allowing the organization and
arming of Carlist bands on the French
frontier naturally excited deep discon-
tent among the Spanish people. What
ever sympathy may have been felt for
France on account Of her misfortunes
was dissipated by the unfriendliness of her
conduct toward her neighbor It was felt
that the men in power represented the old
Bourbon policy, which aimed at the disinte-
grafton and humiliation of Spain It was felt,
too, that there was moro than sympathy for
Carlism in the open protection afforded to the
men who were dividing Spain by wasting
civil war. Were it not for the active aid
afforded to the Carlists by the French legit-
mists the civil war could never have assumed
its present proportions. How important were
the supplies furnished from France may
be judged by the fact thnt when the
French government tardily resolved to
suppress the contraband trade immense
quantities of arms and ammunition were
seized on their way to the Carlists. The
repentance of the French authorities
comes, however, too late to prevent their un-
friendliness from exercising its natural influ-
ence on the mind of the Spanish people.
France shows clearly that she has learned
nothing from the severe lessons she has re-
ceived Her policy towards Spain and Italy is
unchanged, and her rulers seem irresistibly
impelled to obstruct the advancement of these
two kindred nations, when every consideration
of craftsmanship should urge them to win the
confidence and friendship of the Spanish and
Italian peoples. By pursuing an opposite
policy they have isolated France and set her
frontiers around with enemies. Neither Italy
nor Spain desires to injure Or humiiate France,
and yet the intrigues of the INSCRIPTIONS fac
tons in France, which seized on power in the
moment of their country's weakness, have COM
PEELED both countries to seek O German
alliance from motives of self-preservation.
Nothing could more clearly show the
blindness and incapacity of the men
who proclaim themselves the saviors of
France. One by one they have stripped their
country of friends and now she stands alb
solutely alone, without single ally upon
whom she could rely in case of need Her
attitude of menace toward Italy and the Grim
inal partiality shown to the Carlists have done
much to deprive her even of the sympathy
which was bestowed on account of the great
and sudden overthrow she had suffered. When
it is too late French publicists have discovered
the error of this policy, and now they urge
the government to do its duty But in the
meantime Germany has acquired such in
fuence in Spain that it will not be easy for
France to undo the work OF her folly.