The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21
DoWnfallof the Bourbon Mon
archy Predicted.
ALFONSO'S GOVERNMENT ALARMED
The Provinces Overwhelmed by Taxation
Spain on the Eve Of Ma
tional Bankruptcy.
TRIUMPH OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC.


more in the horizon Of Spanish politics. Peace
roigns at Maarid, but It 10 the decetfu ull in
political atmosphere which announces to the ex-
porenced observer the coming storm. Tired out with
civil discords span has submitted without protest for
three years TO the restored Bourbon asking nothing
but peace and seeming Indifferent 70 the liberty
won at the cost OF much blood. Had tho restored
monarchy taken advantage OF this excellent spirit Of
the people and introduced reforms developing and
strengthening tho liberty already acquired, Alfonso
XII might have secured for his house long lease OF
power. II Is difficult howovcr, for king who owes
his throne 10 the bayonets OF demorazed soldiery
TO enter the road OF constitutional government.
Untaught by experience and blind to the In
nuenccs OF modern thought tho advisors Of
Alfonso XII. have constantly turned their faces
rom those instructive pictures OF government fur
nishcd by England Belgium, Italy and Portugal and,
looking backward havo sought for models the arbi
trary rule OF the Philips. As OF the Inquistion
as we'll be imposed In this nineteenth century has
been introduced into the existing government OF
Spain, which, crabke, keeps steadily walking back
ward toward the yawntng abyss Of revolution.
Unless radical and unlikely change takes place in
tho policy OF Alfonsos government. spain. within
not very remote period, viii once again DO plunged
into civil war; Tho stifed nation is gaspng for breath
and begins 10 struggle rid herself Of tho roactonnry
nightmare which Expresses hcr. just this aspira.
tion for liberty nds expression in partial conspiracies
which, through want OF caution on the pars
OF the consprators, from time time brought TO
hight
REVOLUTIONARY FIRE.
Tho latest discovery OF this nature was caused by
tho accidental falling IN tho street Of man VINO hap
penod to BIO carrying bottle OF Greek nro. The
bottle was broken in the fall aud the unfortunate
man terribly injured by the flames oil tho burning
liquid THIS incident led 10 investigation, and In.
vostgation to the arrest and imprisonment Of
known number Of suspected republicans. So well
the traditions OF the Inquisiton maintained by the
present legal procedure that but little known with
certainty to the Causes which have led 70 the
arrests, nor IL the number of prisoners known The
arrests made In the middle Of the night secretly
and mystariousy. and the announcement made by
the Official newspapers OF the fact mysterious as
well can be. There IL the usual difficulty in getting
ut the truth in this mattor the given by
governments organs and those furnished by liberal
papers and republican sympathizcrs differ materially.
Tho official papers set down tho number arrested at
eight; ono Of tho liberal papers replies by giving
the names OF sixteen well known republicans
arrested, and other persons who ought to DO
we'll informed set Gown the number arrestoa
at nfty-two. while declares that 200
have been put under lock key. This OF the
advantages derived from inquistorial system OF
had been made the widest circulated by
whispers. The government going to adopt strong
aud tho OF all tho republican leaders
would take place Immediately. As this IL the country
Of the unforeseen the HERALD correspondent decided
TO take counsel the state Of the political atmosphere
with prominent libcral-conservative, whose oppor.
tuntes for feeling tho public pulse quite good
rs though he were minister. This gentleman shook
his head sadly and said :-ssTnero Is really nothing
worry important at the bottom or theso arrests The
government has simply mado another blunder. These
arrests must increase the public apprehension with
out in any way trcnsthening the government AS to
tho causes winch have led to the arrests can give
you no certain information. Government by inquisl.
ton, you SEQ, exists In uIi iorco In Spain to-day"
LIGHT.
AS there was noticeable certain roticence In my
friends manner It struck that It would be inter.
esng to obtain the views OF the leading republicans
on The political prospects OF Spain. IL evident
that der the tranquil which doatsd in ap-
parent security the Bourbon Ship of state there was
running strong current, which, without good care
on the part OF the pilots might carry the ship the
hidden rocks and wreck the bright hopes with which
the boy King Alfonso set out his voyage OF life.
The person who would give mo the bost and fullest
Information from the republican point Of WOW
seGor ri Margall time Dictator Of SPAN and
republicans, the Spanish rods.
the LEADRR OF THE EXTREME REPUBLICANS
On the third story Of the fine house in the Gallo
dc Prcciados, looking out Iittlo circular
plaza, ! found Senior ri Margal seated
before writing desk, which strewn
with books and manuscripts Senior ri Is
no longer young but, though tho OF many VIM
ers rest his head, ho is still In the prime OF HE
His face is oval In form. with small bright eyes, and
kind but arm expression Resoluto to tho degree Of
obstinacy In tho severe logical application OF his
philosophical epubcanism. no has acquired IRON his
coreIigionsss the namo OF 'Tho Man OF Marble" His
reception, however, OF the HERALD correspondent
" warm and friendly as could DO desired.
THE INTERVIEW.
After the usual interchange of courtes,es the CORE.
spondcnt said that In view OF tho recent arrests of
republicans mado by the government and tho evil
dcncos OF political uneasness which the discovery OF
isolated conspiracies furnished, tho HERALD would
like to lay before the American people an authorize.
two expression OF the Vows of tho republican party
tho actual political situation In Spain.
Senior PI-With great pleasure l will give you tho
views entertained ny the federal republicans which Is
tho party to which belong and whose principles
havo always advocated, because 1 believe them best
suited 10 tho character and traditions of tho
Spanish people. IL may be we'll to remind
you that tho republican propaganda IN Spain Is Of
comparatively recent origin, anu that owing 70 tho
laws In force We were not permitted, when The party
was nrst formed, to call ourselves republicans
The nrst group OF republicans elected TO tho CDrtcs
therefore oDligod 10 take tho OF "demo-
Gratis and under this appoatton tho party for years
struggled 10 hberaizo our institutions Tho wondor-
full success which attended our efforts the best proof
OF the sympathy OF tho nation with the ideas OF lib
erty.
REPUBLIC BASED ON LEGALITY.
ssfhen you believe that tho majority OF tho Spanish
people are in favor OF the Republic?"
sefor PI--Without doubt. II you will recall tho
various changes OF government winch Spain has un-
dergone since the beginning OF this century you will
see that all have been effected by force bloodshod
except the proclamation oil tho Republic, the only
government which was based on legality and cstab-
lshed by the Tree action OF tho repre-
ventatives Of the nation assembled in the Cortes.
O'Dopnell Narvaez, Amadeus ana serraEo all obtained
power US the rcsui. Of pronuncamsntos which
much boodshcd, but the Republic was established
without a shot being fired. When Amadeus abdicatcd
the throne the Cortcs, tho legal representatives OF
the people, proclaimed the Republic There was no
viosneA ~ dissnrbanesi No one vas deprived Of his