The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-09
TROUBLOUs TIMES In SPAIN.
A Revolt of the Army Imminent Unless Re

TROUBLOUs TIMES In SPAIN.
A Revolt of the Army Imminent Unless Re-
forms Are introduced.
Havana Letter IN New York Sun.
Unlike the parrot for which q large sum was
asked because, Though IL could not talk, it was
devil for thinking the Spanish Ministers are
never thinking doing, but they are always
speaking. The moment Spanish Minister IL
informed OF his nomination, he delivers series
Of speeches, complimenting bis party on the
wisdom Of its choice, and reminding his hearers
that Spain was once the ruler OF the world, at
which there is unboundsd enthusiasm. and
everybody agrees that q most eloquent, up
right aud sagacious representative has been
selected. Once in Office. he passes his time ad-
dressing his friends and writing letters TO the
opposition organs. No time is left for action.
The Cortes open and close and the Ministers do
nothing. Studying, as they call il, the govern
ment's problems, the sessions succeed each
other without anything being accomplished.
The questions acquire undue prominence by
reason of the inaction of one side and the impa-
thence Of the other. The language Of the con-
tending factions becomes bttsrer every day.
Deliberation gives way to passion, and in reply
ing TO personal insults the original bill under
discussion is lost sight of for the time being and
when taken MP again it Is found to be so
charged with passion and ill-feeling that to ar
que its adoption or postponsment impsrils
Minister'S portfolio.
The popular suffrage and the army reform
measures chiefly occupied the attention of the
Co-tess latest session, even the economic ques-
ton being relsgated TO q secondary place. The
renovation of the army is the burning question
of the lour at Madrid. The proposed reforms
will serve to make the army more democratic,
its graduations more liberal and just The poor
will not always remain soldiers In spite OF great
merits, while the rich and the members of the
sristocracy leap into all the high placea. The
overwhelming predomnance OF officers in pro-
portion TO the number OF soldiers, and the many
confusing and contradictory titles bestowed on
the officers, will be done away with.
But these are not the only causes of the exist
ing dissatisfaction. The hatred between the
soldiers aud officers, and the envious rivalry be-
tween the different sections or the army have
for q long time been the most dangerous ele-
ments or the discussion. Already two War Min
listers have fallen q result Of this army faction
feeling. 1t caused last June's crisis, and may at
no distant date occasion another. Another
source of anxiety lies in the fact that the prom
ises which the Liberals have been holding out to
the army in case of iss successful revolt against
the government, aud the re-establishment of the
republic have enkindled the soldiers enthusi-
asn, and an uprising of large portion of the
army has been feared for some time.
The other day the Queen Regent called Gen.
Cassola, the former War Minister, to a private
interview, and asked him to say, without fear
or fattery. what truth there was in the ugly
rumors that were sfioat concerning the army,
and what were its feelings toward the crown.
Cassola is reported to have said that ''the armys
| loyalty could be counted on. but that if the
army reforms were not carried out Immediately
| public peace would be in danger" The Queen.
| il is said. thanked him for his frankness,
and limited 10 him that his return to the Ministry
would be grateful to her..
Recent acts Of the administration would seem
| to give value to Cassolss words predicting an
| early outbreak among the soldiers. Extraor-
| binary precautions have been taken to guard
| against it. The officers sleep in the barracks
with their uniforms on; ssntinels are placed at
| short distances, and frequently relieved;
m n oh of
| frequent intervals during the night. while from
the arInories come the sound of the roar of
musketry and the heavy tread Of the soldiers at
their drill The severe discipline to which the
| army is being subjected would seem to
| indicate that it is being put in readi-
| ness not only to put down the populace,
but to resist the attack of one of its wings.
| Generals MartineZ-Campo and Cassola, repre-
senting the two principal opposing factions OF
the army, tend to compcste the situation by
remaining irreconcabe enemies, each one
playing his cards with INSCRIPTIONS audacity
! and undisguissd enmity. and, unfortunately,
| the army leaders are beginning to exercise
| again their old-tims absolute sway. of which
| Senior Canovas del Castillo when at the helm of
| state, despoiled them. It was thought that the
diserscsful scene of the crowns favoritss ruling
| the country as was the case with O'Donnell aud
| Narvaez during the reign of Isabella III, could
| not happen today; but again do the jealousies
and ambition OF a few generals shake the Iberian
peninsula.
Sagasta is under hot fire. He has succeeded
| in postponing the discussion of these army
| measures for a few days, but nothing has been
] gained; for when the Cortss reopen 10 fort
| night, and the subject is again treated, tho
Cabinet will be oil the more convinced of it's in
stability, and its opponents. under the able and
| intrepid leadership of Canovas. Gorilla and
| Martinez -Canpos. will be all the better pre-
| pared to cope with it. These several parties,
| each distin guished by particular and personal
| aims, are all warning upon the government.
| indications point 20 very troublous times ahead
| for the Cabinet when the Cortes rsassenbe.
| Il cannot much longer withstand the impacable
opposition of is enemies, and the discussion of
these army reforms. which IL the first item on
| Its callandar. has already proved fatal TO one
| Ministry. Should the present holder of the war
| portfolio. Gen. Organ fall and q crisis ensue,
the reins of power will in all probability GO to
| the head of the conservative party, Senior
| Csnovas del Castillo.
The whole matter, though il appears exceed
ingly complicated on its surface, resolves itself
into question of personal am bition and private
| interest. 1t will take some time. however, to
strip this army measure of the many side issues
that obscure and involve the real question: for
like a closely matted head of hair, it may be de-
sirabls or even necessary TO diseDtansle it, but
| the process @ill be both tedious aud painful.
The Liberal party has displayed unusual ac-
| tivity OF late. Seniors Pi Margal, Salmeron,
and Carbajal, the acknowledged representative
heads Of the principal Republican factions, after
| careful deberation with the leaders of the Re-
| publican clubs throughout SPAIN have decided
| to unite themselves under q common banner
and BY all means in their power endssvor to ex-
cite the army and people in different parts of
| Spain to rise simultaneously in armed opposi-
| ton TO the government
To offset this coalition. Sagasta proposed .
union to Gen. Lopez Dominguez, having failed
| 10 his endesvors to associate himself with Mar
shall Martinez CampOs. The General demanded
that the universal-suffrage bill be Immediately
presented to the Cortes for their appreciation.
To this Sagasta could not accsde. as the army
bill had TO be attended to first Thereupon
Lopez Dominguez abruptly terminated their re-
lations
Pr y Maresl. In q recent speech at Saragoza,
exhorted his followers to observe steadfast fdel-
ity TO their principles irrespective of petty hs-
treds and sectional issues, il they would hasten
the triumph OF their noble aspirations.
Senior Martos. the President of Congress, and
Minister Marquis de Ia Vega Armigo have spok-
en- on the government side. CASTELAR, folio wed,
with his rotund periods and exaggerated prom
ises. Gracefully evsGpe the crucial subject OF
the army-reform measures, he expended his elo-
| qlenee on the universal-sufraes bill. Time
passes quickly, and the Cortes will soon reopen
by order Of Saeasts. Has he ordered his own
| funerall