New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-11
Spanish Politics.

Inc Madrid correspondent of the Pail
MaH Gazette writes to that journal: mot
for many years has political intrigue in
Spain been go active as it is at present.
All parties are involved, except the Re-
publicans and the Carlists. These indig-
nantiy watch the course of events, the
former cOwed but bent upon revenge. the
latter savage and expectant, and both per-
suaded IN their fanaticism that Alfonso XII
mas come to prepare the way for them.
The struggle for power going on Just now is
between the Reactionists and Conservative
Liberals, or rather fraction of the latter.
Tor SerranO heads another. The end of it
will most prOpably be the usual compromise
between absOlutism and mock liberalism.
such as characterized the reign of Isabel ii.
when the government relied upon the
army instead of itself. Then there was
no civil war. Now the goyernment
has to provide two armies; one to
take care of it, the other to fight the Car
lists. The high Catholic notions with which
hlng Alfonso has been imbued by his uufor-
tunate mother render him particularly La
Die to reactionary and priestly influences.
Were 1t not for his political guardian.
CanOvas. and one or two ministers who
know the times they live in, it would not
take much urging to make the young mon
arch lnaugurate paternal despotism and
become the most obedient son of the Church
suspense. Marshal SerannO and his fraction
are not idle amid the general hustle. He
bids high tor tho support of the Protestant
plenlpOtentlarles here, as King Alfonso
does for that OF the clergy. 1t is supposed
that these diplOmatists have been instructed
Gy their respective governments to watch
the course OF events, to report frequently,
encourage the government in liberal
policy, and firmly oppose any attempt to
interfere with or put down religious
liberty. This sounds well. only it NAV
tend to encourage the diplOmatists in
question to support secretly public men
favorable to their views and intrigue
against their antagonists. Public opinion
in Spain has always been very strong
against foreigners mixing themselves I'M in
her political affairs. although by one of
those paradOxes SO common in this land of
unexpected events they have done so for
the last hundred years. 1t remains to he
seen whether the bestowal of the order of
the Golden Fleece upon Prince Bismarck
compliment which has thoroug hly dis
gusted the President of the French re-
eminent OF Alfonso XII, but as long as his
majesty favors the clergy he may be sure
to have the German Chancellor for an
enemy, while the Republicans and Radicals
VIII OBTAIN his secret support As for us,
British statescraft has bought it's Spanish
experience dear enough during the last
half century, and learned, it is to be
hoped, to eschew meddling in Spanish
affairs, or offering unasked for advice to
Spanish governments.
Alfonso NIL, who does not want courage.
mas more than once expressed a resolution
to put himself again at the head of the
army OF the north as soon as the operations
IN spring commence. But well informed
persons here are confident that the war
will come to peaceful conclusion before
hen; while Others equally acquainted with
The negotiations government is carrying on
With General Cabrera, are of contrary
opinion. 1t was fully expected that as soon 4
as Prince Alfonso became King part of the
;arlist forces would go over to him and the
remainder disband. And now: perhaps, theft,
contest more obstinate. At any rate. tHk1vP
government is very anxious about tyNfs
'afety OF the army Of the north, and tIpe
Iuent are the messages sent by the minis I IRE
If war to the commander in chief to gplst2sedi
against surprise" YIfard