New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-21
ANARCHY IN SPAIN.
INTRIGUE AND NuSRULE WHICH FORE
SHADOW A REVOLUTION

'' Madrid, Oct. 2.
At no tine since the death of the King has
Spain been in such state Of ferment as al inc
present moment and. judging by the outlook OF
affairs. there appears to be every prospect that
the prouunoiamC ntc season'-as inc months Oh
September, October and November have been race
tjouslv tcrmcd-wili not be allowed to pass away
without some very serious disturbance Mir
ister,al crisis end disruption Of the Cabinet are
inevitable several Of the principal Ministers not
being even on speaking terms with their col
leagues INSTRUMENTATION and discomfort reign
sunrene in the army The clergy throu ghout the
countrv are threatening with eternal damnation
all those who at the approaching provincial cleo
tons dare 10 vote the Liberal ticket, being per-
tectly frantic with rage at the Governments pro-
;cctcd reductions in the budget of the Public
Worship Department Incredible disorganiza-
,ion corruption and malfeasance arc being daily
brought to light, not only in the Government and
in municipal Offices, but also in the administra-
ton of Justice bad harvests, increased taxation
and diminished trade are causing destitution and
misery throughout the land. Such are the en-
tanglemcn,s brought about by the lack Of firm
ness and energy of the Prime Minister, Sagasta,
and by his tendency of always seeking TO tenn
porze and adopt bali. measures instead Of looking
the difficulties which surround him s1uarely In
the face and dealing with them courageously and
frankly.
Bad as is the aspect Of affairs described above.
10 is rendered still worse by the cessation OF the
truce which, from motives Of patriotism ana de-
votion TO the dynasty, has hitherto beer observed
by Senior Canovas and his powerful Conservative
following toward the Ministry. Added to this is
the declaration of the fifty or sixty Generals VINO
hold seats in the Senate and the Cortes that they
are sick TO death Of mere civilian administration,
and that the only way TO save the country from
ruin and disaster is to confer all the highest Off
ccs Of the State and of the Executive on military
men. The climax, however, is furnished by the
universal disaffecton which has become rife
among the immediate supporters Of the Govern
rnent. the moderate section of the Liberal party
exnressipC dsapproval of the Prime Ministers
policy ON the ground of its being too democratic,
while the more advanced of his followers bitterly
complain that he is forever delaying and curtall-
ing the long promised reforms in order to please
his Conservative friends 1t will readily be seen,
therefore, that the Premiership of Spain at the
nrescnt moment can scarcely be likened TO bed
Of roses.
As the military question is the rock on which
the Cabinet is bound TO go 20 pieces before many
weeks arc over it may be Of interest to devote a
few lines to this subject The army, which has
been ncknamed the Fourth Estate" by the Cas-
,ilhans, has for the last fifty years been the main
source Of trouble and disturbance in Spain. Not
only have innumerable Ministers and Cabinets
been overthrown by its pronunciamtntos and re-
volts but on several memorable occasions the
Sovereign has been terrorized and even driven
from the throne by this nineteenth century rival
of the old Praetorian Guard of Rome. This ten
dency on the part of the army to assume politi-
cal role is mainly due 10 the terribly overcrowded
state of the corps of officers, which has brought II
promotion to a complete standstilL Pride is still,
as in days of yore, one Of the prevailing charac-
teristcs of the Spaniard. Trade, industry COM
merce and the scientific professions appear to him
to be unworthy of the poverty stricken descend
ant of many hidalgos, and the army constitutes IN
his eyes the only means of livelihood compatible
with his notions of dignity Hence the extraor-
binary number Of officers. who actually consti-
tute by themselves one-ffth Of the entire standing
army of Spain-that is, there is one commissioned
officer to every four men. The only chance of adj
yancement and of increase Of pay hes In pro-
nunciamento or revolt, which, II successful brings
those who have been most active in promoting IL
70 the fore; while, if it fails. the rlrglcaderS,
either by death or dismissal, create vacancies
and consequent promotions Experience indeed,
has taught the Spanish officer that well-or-
ranized pronunciamento is worth any number of
victorious campaigns. both as regards pay and
rank. With but few exceptions, all the prizes Of
the military profession are in the hands Of Cen
erals whose laurels have teen won by di loyalty
10 the Government OF the day rather than by true
and honest service in the field.
That reforms of q most radical nature are
matter of extreme urgency is universally ad-
mitted, both by the army itself and by the public
at large as under the present circumstances it is
absolutely impossible to guarantee the main.
tenance OF public order the existence Of stable
and powerful Government enjoying popular con-
idence AT the time Of the Kings death General
Lopez Dominguez, q nephew of Marshal Serrano,
was regarded the principal apostle of military
reform and enjoyed much popularity in conse-
quence But as he belonged at the time TO the
Anti-Dynasty party and has the reputation OF
being not only one Of the ceverest, but also
one Of the most ambitious men in Spain, and is
Generally believed to have in view the military
dictatorship enjoyed by his uncle, Senior Sagasta
determined to cut the ground from under his feet
by adopting Military Reform bill, more radical
even than that of General Dominguez part OF
his own political programme. lie confded its
elaboration and adoption to universally re-
Spected officer, General Castillo. and appointed
him Minister of War, for the purpose of steering
the bill safely through both houses of the Lcgis-
iature
Strange though it may appear, General CASTILLO
encountered the most uncompromising opposition
on the part Of all those who had expressed them
selves most anxious for reform. Every possible
obstacle was put in his way, the Generals in the
Senate and Cortes, with Martinez Campos and
Lopez Dominguez at their head, being especially
prominent in their antagonism. The secret Of the
whole matter was that whereas all were convinced
Of the urgency of the reforms in question. each
was individually anxious to obtain for himself
the power and popularity in the army which will
inevitably fall to the lot Of the Minister of War
who succeeds in carrying the measure 10 sue
cessful issue. Not content with opposing the bill
In tho Cnrfas Martinez CamnoS who holds the