The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-27
FEARS FOR TIE KING
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SPAIN
IS TOTTERING
Revolution Will End the Terrible
Work of t he War-But One Gen
eral Left to the Queen

NEW YORK, July GA dispatch to
the Tribune from Paris says the cast-iron
severity of the Spanish censorship prevents
the exact situation at Madrid from being
disclosed except through private channels.
Any newspaper correspondent at Madrid
suspected of even limiting at the true state
of affairs known to prevail there would be
! imprisoned or expelled. Under these circum-
stances grave Importance attaches to
Madrid letter of Saturdays date received
here today by French diplomatist well
known on both sides of the Atlantic. The
Tribune correspondent Is, unfortunately,
not a. liberty to mention the name of the
writer of the letter, whose opportunities for
ascertaining the truth at Madrid are I'M
surpassed, but is authorized to GABLE the
following summary of Its contents
Madrid. Saturday, July 23.-The situation
is far more critical than at any previous
time since the war began. On the surface
the habitual indifference of all classes of
the people 10 the national disasters seems
to continue. Social entertainments, popular
amusements and bull fights go on as mer-
rily as ever, but this apparent apathy is
merely superficial. The slightest incident
may at any moment precipltate crisis and
news which reached here Thursday of the
postponement of the departure of Watton's
squadron is regarded as definite abandon
ment Of that expedition, and causes a I'M
mense relief to the Spanish Cabinet. The
work Of defending the seaports, neverthe-
less, actively continues, and two transports
with troops and heavy guns arrived yestef-
day at the Canaries.
IL oil a
On the war effectively or to conclude peace.
The question Of the war is thrown into the
background by the urgency of dynastic con-
sderations, and by measures to avert a
military pronunciamento backed by pop
ular uprising. The specter of revolution has
momentarily restrained the Carllsts in the
northern provinces, but has forced Sagasta
to put his whole trust In the leaders Of the
army. The generals are now absolute mas
tiers at Madrid and are likely to cast aside
Sagasta as soon as they have no further
use for him. The artillery Is the most
democratic as we'll as the most efficient
branch OF the military service, and has
always been early IN taking an active
part In any republican movement to over
turn dynaety. Tonight the entire artillery
force OF the garrison at Madrid is openly
to fire on the people would certainly refuse
10 do so, and would fraternize with the IN
surgents. Several infantry regiments when
the emergency arises are also ready to
follow the example of the artillery.
The disaffection Of the army increases
day by day. Officers Of every grade accuse
the ministry Of incapacity in conducting
the war and charge them above all with
criminal neglect In falling to supply the
Santiago forts with food and ammunition.
General Polavieja, a thoroughly honest,
loyal scholar of the old school, whose de-
votion to the Queen Regent is beyond re-
proach, has had long conferences with tho
Queen, Sagasta and leaders of the opposi-
ton. Polavieja Is the last hope of the dy-
nasty. This blunt but genial soldier still
retains a certain influence with the army,
but those who ought to know best say thet
when the time comes Ne can no more stem
the popular tide than could Marshal Blu
geaud have prevented the Paris revolution
of 1s4S from sweeping away Louis Philippe.
"Not a day passes without the Emperor
of Austria exerting his strong personal In
fuence with the Queen Regent, urging her
to make peace at once, no matter at wha.
sacrifices; for. in his opinion, the only sal
walton of the dynasty depends upon her
ability to do 20, and he points out that the
longer peace is delayed, so much the mora
intense will be the internal explosion, which
Is the real danger to the dynasty.
1.-THE Queen is most anxious to act upon
the Emperor's advice and her great hope
liz that Polavieja will succeed in obtaining
the assent;of the army to permit the Cab
inet to make such direct offers Of peace 20
Washington as would be accepted there.
But whether Polavieja will be able to ex-
ert the necessary influence with the mill
tary leaders or not Is considered more than
doubtful.
ITO make the outlook still more dismal It
Is known that in spite Of explicit official
denials, public discomfort is spreading at
on alarming pace in Cordova, Valencia,
Murca and Huelva. The socialist populacc
in Cartagena Is kept In check by the SAIL
crs and soldiers of the arsenal and Cam
era's fleet"