Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-10
TIE PECULIAR SITUATION IN SPAIN

war; the drift of both Spain and Portugal
to republicanism The threat of England
has intensified republican sentiment in the
second named State, and the slightest oc-
casion may fan the smoldering revolution
into a fame.
In Spain the King is but an infant, and
his mother, the Queen Regent. is an Aus
trian, who, while not hated is not deeply
loved. The infant King lies dangerously
i'll, and hence review of the Spanish sit
nation beomes of special interest at this
time There is disafection among the
producing classes, owing to the refusal of
the Government to adopt protective pol
icy IN the interests of agriculture. This
discomfort is fostered by ambitious men
not in official positions, who are solicitous
to bring the Administration into disfavor,
in the hope that their own fortunes will
be advanced thereby. The officers of the
army are sorely dissatisfied with the Gov
eminent under the Regency because of a
policy that has so filled the official ranks
of the army as to give an officer for every
half-dozen soldiers, and promotion is, in
conseq all but out of the question
These officers are looked upon as a greater
source Is danger to the Administration
than the disappointed agrIculturIsts.
The Prime Minister, Sagasta, who twice
resigned in 1888, has for a year or more
been straining every nerve to preserve the
power of the royal party by introducing
reforms that appeal to the masses and will
satisfy both Radicals or Democrats and
Conservatives, such as proposed enlarge
ment of the elective franchise, not yet ac-
complished; the introduction of the jury
system that withhoIds from iuries two
thirds of triable crimes, and which law
was put into operation in March or April,
1889; the remission of 100000 pesetas of
the Orown-land taxes, the agriculturists
demanding reduction of 100000 Pc
setas; the establishment of the civil mar
rage law, in the hope to satisfy both Cler-
icals and Radicals, which failed of its pur-
pose, for the new law requires consent of
the clergy for mixed marriages, while
Catholics must be married in church to Sc
cure civil recognition; the reduction of
the peace establishment of the army, which
failed; the suspension of collection Of du-
ties on manufactured wines against which
taxes the distillers led successful riot at
Tarragona, and inaugurated protests in
Saragossa, Barcelona and Madrid with re-
fusals to pay the tax.
Singular as it may seem, while the
masses exclaim against the Administra-
ton, the young King is popular with them,
and his appearance is everywhere received
with manifestations of loyalty that appear
to be sincere and enthusiastic. There is
now an open demand that CASTELAR,, the
Republican statesman, shall be called to
the ch;eftaincy of the Administration. and
as Sagasta is not solicitous to remain in
power since the military are openly antag-
onistic 70 him, it is not improbable that
Castelar, may be invited to form Cabinet.
If he accepts, the situation will be still
more complicated. For while he is an
earnest Republican, he abhors war and is
disposed to have Spain grow into a Re-
public rather than spring to that state
He holds that he was in error when he
believed the latter achievement possible,
and that it could be built upon. He now
fears that the people Of Spain lack that
education in Republican principles essen
tial to insure loyalty to them, and make
Republic stable. In the Cortes in Feb
ruarg, 1888, CASTELAR,, then leading the
Conservative Republicans made speech
announcing these views in effect, and Civ
ing In his allegiance to the existing Adj
ministration as better for Spain than a
revolution. At that time he declared his
intention so soon as Sagasta's proposed re-
foru.s we're well s.ool, 10 retire to the
secluson OF private life.
CASTELAR, is the abIest man in Spain, and
perhaps the most far seeing, bat he is about
to be placed between two fires. If he IS
called to form Cabinet, his integrity is
such, coupled with his late expression
above referred 10, that he will prove loyal
to the throne, to whose cause he will by &C
ceptance pledge himself while at the same
time he is fettered by decades of devotion
and innumerable early addresses to the es-
Enlistment of republican form of gov
eminent. 1t would be easy sailing for
him should the revolutionists proclaim
repcblic, absolve him from the semi
pledges Of his speech Of 1888, and make
him It's President, as was done in 1873.
For he would then be able to take definite
position, aud not be driven to the temporz-
ing policy he now advocates aud that does
no. hcnor his ability, while the worst that
could probably happen to him, if the re
public failed, would be Punishment, Of