Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-12-19
SPAIN'S WORST TROUBLE.
Not In Cuba or the Philippines. but Right
at Home.

Nowadays we hear ii deal about SPANS
foreign embarrassment. Hardly word,
however, is whispered Of her domestic in.
felicity. Yet ~ the two the latter is the
greater. Cuba and the Philippines have
har;csed spain much, but Don Carlos has
irkci her far more
This man is the most potent factor in
tho present and future Of Spain. He is
the banc of Premier CanOvas' life and the
shadow that darkcns the political path OF
( the infant king. Alfonso MIL For more
than 80 years he and his ancestors have
been the trouble makers Of Spanish poll
:icS. and today his ambition, his determi-
nation, his resources and his opportunity
make him such n menace 10 the crown as
he never has been before
The pretcndcr is the third in line. but
his claim has lost none Of its strength
since his grandfather, Don Carlos, count
of Molina, started the five years civil war
in 1888 in his endcavors To make good his
prctensions To the throne made vacant by
the death of his brother Ferdinand VII
Nor was that claim without good founda-
tion, for Don Carlos, as heir apparent, was
displaced by the infant Isabella, whose
mother, the widowed Queen Christina,
had successfully plotted several years pre-
viously for the annulment Of the Salic law
which formed a barrier 10 female success
sion.
Ever since Don Carlos has never let slip
an opportunity to agitate his cause. His
efforts have been aimed not only at tho
reigning family, hut also at the falling
fortunes of the republic which for short
time desecratcd that title in Spain. Fail
urc attended his efforts against the latter
lx
men in the realm rallied every neutral ele-
ment in the nation to the assistance OF the
restored monarchy, which even then was
unable To down the Carlists until 1876.
Although an exile for more than 20
years, Don Carlos has ever personally di-
rected the movements Of his partisans at
home His followers have frequently made
themselves felt as obstructionists, and
their part In the Cuban war has been
more important than generally imagined.
For II long time they obstructed all move
mentS Of the government toward securing
funds with which 10 carry on the war
against the insurgents, but finally accct.-
cd To the commands of Don Carlos, who
babe them, III the name of patriotism, to
cease their obstructive tactics. 1t is by
this and similar acts that he caught the
popular ear and captivatcd the popular
heart.
As IA shrcwd politician he has no master
First he established a reputation for pa
triotic sacrifice and thon cunningly fos-
tered popular disgust and discomfort Mt
the expensive failures of the ministry
When the resentment OF the masses was in
its zenith, the Carlist representatives with
drew from the cortcs on Sept and by
this action Won the sympathy and indorsc-
ment OF many hitherto loyal Spaniard.
Since then mystery has somewhat en-
shrouded the movements of the party, but
il is known that Carlist tongues have
spread discomfort broadcast over the land,
prated inccssantly about the straits of the
government and inflamed the peasantry
with an ardent spirit of rebellion. With
able and unScrcpulous lieutenants. with u
host of supporters awaiting only his com
mand, and with abundant wealth, acquired
by a recent marriage. DoRCarlos Is today
playing sharp game that will either seat
him on the Spanish throne or bury him
politically beyond hope
Only few days ago he betrayed his ac-
tivity by securing the negative friendship
Of prominent Liberal journal Of Madrid,
and through the medium of its columns
bitterly denounced the ministry for its
CuDlh WIT ppilCy anu It's lnceknesS To-
ward the United States, which he branded
as II nation OF bluster and arrogance. This
is n move which will win him countless
new recruits at this time and enhance his
chances Of success.
No one can deny that the administration
of the Canovls ministry has pauperizcd
the nation, demoralizcd the people and
nearly hankrupted Spain, and the friends
nf f.e q haf
the people Of all Spain know these facts by
rote. The strain is great and growing
greater every day. The republicans are
divided and weak and daily growing
weaker, while the Carlists are united and
strong and gaining strength day by day
through the advocacy of monarchy. II
the Canovas government continues much
longer in its present path, it will lead tho
people to revolt, and then Don Carlos will
step forth as their champion, rally them
around his standard by rosy promises and
make u desperate effort To force his way to
the thronc.-Alhany Times Union.