The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-06
sPAIN-s POLITICAL Future.

II Spain had at its head a man Of
strong character he could probably
maintain his dynasty. in spite of the
depiorabie condition Of the country
Spain would be- q failure as a republic,
ard the peace OF Europe depends 10
some extent upon the choice OF the
ruler. even as much as the salvation
Of the country from ruin does. The
only candidate for Spanish sovereignty
IL Don Carlos. and be owes his pronll-
hence more To his promises Of reae-
claim upon the throne. His claim is
based upon his descent frotu Don Car
los. second son of Charles ~. Of Spain
and brother OF Ferdinand Xll. who
succeeded Charles " The FIRST Don
Carlos had hoped TO occupy the throne
upon the death OF his brother. but by
abrogation Of the Sale law. Isabella,
daughter OF Ferdinand. became his sue
cessor, and thus the line OF descent was
has been repeatedly reafiirmed by the
cortes. SO that Don Carlos Is now only
a remote pretender.
He is. however. thoroughly spanish
i'm his ideas. The foundation of a lib
erai monarchy was held as promising
a better future for Spain. bat the strong
religious bias OF the people and the
aristocratie tendency of the governing
classes has made them lose sight of the
opportunities they have had TO bring
about better conditions under the linz
tied monarchy now prevailing.
his influence promises very little advan-
tage to the country. His advent means
a return TO the exterme ecciesiasticism
of several hundred years ago. He has
pledged himself to the restoration To
the church OF all the episcopal and
monastIc property confiscated by the
state during the reign of Isabella. In
one OF his DEGREES he threatened ban
ishment from Spain 10 any person at
tending any worship which was not
that Of the Roman Catholic church
He viii find IL impossible. on account
Of vested rights. to keep his promises
with reference 10 all the church prop
erty. but he will DO his best In carry
out the threats based on religious IN
tolerance. His pledges serve the pur-
pose OF winning over 10 him the Fil.
lagr priesthood and through them the
iIiterate masses, particularly in the
Basque or northwestern provinces. He
has added To these alurements the ex-
pecta,ion Of a more vigorous war pot
icy, which. in spite Of financial depres-
sion, teEnpts the unthinking.
With any other people. dispeliing the
Illusion entertained by the masses Of
their national power might have had
the result ~ awakening them from
their dortnancy. Defeat would have
stimulated them 10 take a broader view
of the world outside peninsuiar limits.
That this is improbable is shown by he
favor with which the reactionafy policy
az Don Carlos is received. 1t is incred-
ible that any people In Europe can long
Toe 50 blind TIA their impotence ana o.
the necessity Of beginning 10 move
along me lines adopted by other ma
items, The accession OF Don Carlos t.
the throne can only b. a temporary at
arrangement. Following ham there VIII
surely arise national leader who can
arouse the people 10 realization OF
their backward condition. The Hnan-
claI etnbarrass'nents II the country viii
far several years prevent any cnllght-
ened policy. because 81 ,he discouten,
NJ the people. but unless some chang.
takes place Spain viii u, absorbed ess
another power. There is NOT roon IN
this rapid age FOR two Turkeys in Eu-
rope.