The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-27
MADRID ON A VOLCANO
New York, July 2

New York, July PA 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 newspa-
per respondent at Madrid suspected
Of even limiting at the true state Of at
fairs now known TO prevail there would
be imprisoned or expelled. Under these
circumstances grave Importance attaches
TO a Madrid letter OF Saturdays date, re-
ceived here today by a French diplomat
well known on both sides OF the Atlantic
The Tribune correspondent Is unortun-
ately not at liberty to mention the name
of the writer OF the letter, summary or
which follows:
Madrid, Saturday, July 23.-The situ-
alton is far more critical than at any
previous time since the war began On
the surface the habitual indifference CT
all classes of people TO the national dis
asters seems to continue. Social enter
tainments, popular anusements and bull
fights go on as merrily IS ever, but this
apparent apathy is merely superficial.
The slightest incident may at any mo-
ment precipitate a crisis and plunge the
country into revolution. The news which
reached here Thursday of the postpone
ment of the departure Of Watsons squad
ron is regarded as a definite abandon
ment of that expedition. and causes an
immense relief to the Spanish cabinet.
The work Of defending the seaports, new
ertheless, actively continues, and two
transports with troops and heavy guns
arrived yesterday at the Canaries.
'Sagasta is now powerless either TO
carry on the war effectively or to con-
clude peace. The question of the war is
thrown into the background by the urg-
ency Of dynastic considerations. and by
measures to prevent a military pronun-
cdamento, backed by popular uprising.
1.-The spectre of revolution has moment
arily restrained the Carlists in the north
ern provinces, but has forced Sagasta 10
put his whole trust in the leaders of the
army. The generals are now absolute
masters 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 well as the most
efficient branch of the military service
and has always been early in taking act
i've part in a. republican movement 10
overturn dynasty. Today the entire
artillery force of the garrison or Madrid
is openly hostile to rhe government and
if ordered to fire on the people would
certainly refuse to do so and would fra
terniZe with insurgents. Several infantry
regiments. when the emergency arises.
are also ready to follow the example of
the artillery.
THE disanection Of the army IN
creases day by day Officers of every
grade accuse the ministry OF incapacity
IN oo1 Iuctng tn. war and charge them
above all with criminal negligence in
failing to supply the Santiago force with
food and ammunition.
General Polavieja. a thoroughly hon
est, loyal soldier of the old school, whose
devotion 20 the queen regent is beyond
reproach has mad long conferences with
the queen, Sagasta and the leaders OF
the opposition. Polavieja is the last hope
of the dynasty. This blunt but genial old
soldier still retains a certain influence
with the army. but those who knew best
say that when the time comes he can no
more sem the popular tide than could
Marshal Bugeaud have prevented the
Paris revolution of 1sis from sweeping
away Louis PHILIPPE.
Not 8 day passes without the EN-
peror Of Austria exerting his strong per
sonal influence with the queen regent.
urging her 10 make peace At once no
matter at what sacrifice: for in his opin-
ion, the only salvation Of the dynasty
depends upon her ability to do 50. and
he points out that the ionger peace is de-
layed so much more intense viii be the
internal explosion. which IS re real d4n
ger 10 the dynas-y. The queen is most
anxious TO act upon the empaT0rs advice
and her great hope iS that F0iavie1a wal
succeed in obtaining the assent Of the
army 10 permit The cabinet = make such
direct Offers Of peace 10 Washington as
would be acceptable he. Put whether
Polavleja viii De able 10 exert the nee
eesary influence with the mr. AIRY leaders
or not IS cousidere1 more than doubtful
TO make The u:iook Sill More dismal.
il is known that il spite Of explicit Of
cial deniaIs, republican & scontent is
spreading at an alarming pace at Cor
dova. Valencia. Murc.a and Huelva TIE
Socialist popnlace in Cartagena Is kept
il chsck only by the soldiers and sailors
Of the arsenal and BY Camara's feet