New-York tribune., 1890-01-12
PARTY STRIFE IN SPAIN.
THE THRONE IN DANGER-THE TARIFF AND
THE FRANCHISE AT ISSUE.

THE FRANCHISE AT ISSUE.
FROM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT rRrsuxEl
Madrid December 20.
At no time since the death of the late King has
the throne been in such peril as now. The fall
of the Sagasta Cabinet is imminent, and as not
one Of the numerous rival factions in the Cortes
is sufficiently numerous to endow its leader with
a working majority in Parliament, it will be prac-
tically impossible to find successor. AS the
Budget is not even yet voted, deadlock may
ensue, which will probably terminate in pro-
nunciamento by the army And pronuncla-
mento can only result in the overthrow of tha
monarchy aud in the establishment of republic
in its stead. Discomfort is rife in all ranks OF
the military and naval services, but chiefly among
the subaltern officers and sergeants of the army.
The roster is overcrowded to such an eXtenu
that promotion has been absolutely at stand
still for ten years The situation Of the officers
is daily becoming more intoerable, and the only
way that they can see of remedying 1t is by
means of an overthrow of the existing regime.
The establishment of a republican form Of gov
ernment would, they believe, involve the retire.
ment from the army of all the old generals and
commanders who have identified themselves with
the monarchy, and who now bar the road 10 pro-
motion.
Gorilla and the other leaders Of the revolu-
tionary movement have Of course taken advan-
tage of this to win over considerable portion OF
the army, especially the non-commissionet
officers, by means Of warrants or pro-
motion, which TO come into force on
the day of the establishment of the republic.
Several Ministers Of War and generals have at
tempted during the past few years to remove
the cause for discomfort in the army by the in
auguration of a series of reforms The enactment
A. L, how haap oodccnd N tho
army and a blessing to the country at large.
Everybody was agreed as TO their urgency, but
every one, too was anxious 10 have the credis
for their Inauguration, knowing full well that
their author would Immediately become the most
powerful man in the army, and, ipso facto, in
Spain General Cassoa, one of the most ener-
getic and enlightened Of the Ministers Of War
during the last decade. was the point OF car
ryinC the reforms through. But at the last mo-
ment his colleagues in the Cabinet and the lead
ing generals of the army became jealous and
alarmed at the growth of his popularity, and NOT
only defeated his bill, but froze him out of the
Administration.
The breakup of Senior Sagasta's party is, how
ever, mainly due to personal animosites among
its members and to differences Of opinion
Of universal suffrage. The sagasta Cabl-
trade; but so strong was the popular movement
among the farmers and among the manufacturers
in behalf Of protection that the Premier was
forced TO abandon his free-trade colleagues.
Another schsm in his party was created by the
question Of franchise. One OF the main features
Of Senior Sagasta's programme, and the means by
which he secured the support Of the democratic
element in the Cortes for the monarchy, was the
promise Of a reverSOn TO the system OF universal
suffrage, which in force from 1859 to 1875.
In that year the first Conservative Government
of the restored Bourbons induced the Cortes-
which had itself been elected by universal
suffrage-to suppress manhood suffrage and &c
replace il by very limited franchise. 1ne
suffrage bill now. put forward by Senor Sagasta
in tardy accomplishment Of his promise TO the
democrats, is opposed BY the more moderate
section of his liberal party, by the military men,
by the mobiles, and by all the former members
Of Senor Sagastas various cabinets, who are now
embittered against him. These together with
tie Conservatives under Senior CanOvas. 10 whom
they are, however bitterly opposed on all Othei
questions. constitute force strong enough 10
prevent the passage OF the suffrage BILL and
the Prime Minister will have no other course
open TO him than 70 resign. At present he Is
about the most unpopular in Spain. For
he has been most liberal in his promises. and yet
either by force of circumstances. or owing 20
sheer negligence, lie has failed 10 keep a single
one Of his enga gements.