The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-10-20
DON CARLOS. THE PRETENpER.
Facts Upon which He Bases His Claim to
the Spanish Throne.

facts upon Whfch He Bases HIS CIaim TO
the Spanish Throne.
Since the recent death Of Premier
Canovas, who virtually welded the
scepter of supreme authority in Spain,
the followers Of Don Carlos, grandson
of the original pretender to the
Spanish throne, have asserted them
selves in large numbers, and signs of
another Carlist uprising are distinctly
manifest.
During the greater part of the pres
ent century Spain has been troubled
with repeated efforts on the part of the
Carlists to capture the reins of govern
ment; and, though each attempt to
gain this coveted end has signally
failed, the cost of subduing the Car
lists into temporary submission has
been something immense. In view
of the likelihood of another uprising at
some time in the near future, il is per-
tinent to inquire into the facts upon
which the present Don Carlos grounds
his claim to the Spanish throne.
What is known as the Carlist party
in Spain originated with the first Don
Carlos during the early part of the
present century. This Don Carlos was
a brother to Ferdinand VII of Spain,
and next in order of succession pro-
vided Ferdinand should die without
male issue. In spite of three mar
riages Ferdinand was left childless;
but finally, "A the result of fourth
union, daughter was born to him.
Under the old salique law daughter
could not inherit the crown, and Don
Carlos reioiced therefore in the
prospect of his early accession to his
brothers throne. This feeling of
satisfaction was, however, soon con-
verted into one of disappointment and
chagrin by repeal of the old salique
law and the adoption of what was
commonly known rs the natural rule
of descent, permitting any child to
inherit the crown, Don Carlos entered
his protest against this abrogation and
as the result of his refusal to accept
it, suffered Punishment to the papal
states in 1888. On the death of Ferdi-
nand in the same year the Infanta
Maria Isabella was declared queen, but
Don Carlos Immediately set up his
own claims to the throne, which he
declared of right belonged to him.
In the assertion of this claim Don
Carlos was warmly supported by the
king of Portugal, and by royal ret
inue of intrepid followers at home.
His claim was rejected, however, by
the Spanish cortes and also by the
quadruple alliance of Spain, Portugal,
France and England, which not only
compelled Don Carlos to betake him
self to some remote place of refuge
beyond the borders of the kingdom,
but also compelled Dom Miguel, the
king of Portugal, to surrender his
crown as the price of his folly in sup
porting the Spanish pretender. Don
Carlos found safe retreat at Bourges
in France, where he surrounded him
self with the emulated pomp of the
Spanish court and haughtily assumed
the title of Charles V of Spain. Don
Carlos died in 1855, leaving his i'm
aginary crown to Don Carlos the
younger, who renewed his fathers
claim to the Spanish throne under the
title of Charles VI. This second pre-
tender made various attempts to pos
sess himself of the crown of Spain,
but in each one of them failed ignO-
miniously.
The present Don Carlos, who styles
himself Charles VII, is a grandson of
the original pretender, and son of Don
Juan, brother of Don Carlos the
younger. He was born in 1S4S, and
first asserted his claim to the Spanish
throne on the abdication of King
Amadeo in 1873. In the northern
provinces of Navarro and Biscay he
secured many warm followers, but his
effort to capture the throne ended, as
did the effort of his predecessors, in
humiliating failure. Don Carlos
effected his escape, but the provinces
Of Navarro and Biscay were stripped
of their feudal privileges and other
wise punished for supporting the pre-
tender.
Since that time Don Carlos has
made no serious effort to possess him
self of the Spanish crown, but this is
due to the fact that circumstances have
been against him. His followers are
numerous, however, and, should he
again set up his claim, they could
easily embarrass the kingdom. Spain
is in no condition to brook another
uprising of the Carlists, and realiz-
ing this fact, Don Carlos may yet
renew his claim to the throne of his
ancestors. Whatever turn affairs may
take, the situation in Spain at this
time is intensely interesting. Atlanta
Constitution,