New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-26
CRITICAL TINES AT MADRID.
REVOLUTTON IMMINENT.
sAGASTA'S TRUST IN THE LEADERS OF
THE MY-DISAFFECTION IN
CREASING DAILY.
IpY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE. J


Paris July 25-The castiron severity of the
s,anish censorship prevents the exact situation
g, Madrid from being disclosed except through
nrivate channels. Any newspaper correspondents
9, Madrid suspected Of even limiting at the rue
state Of affairs now known to prevail there
would be imprisoned or expelled Under these
circumstances grave Importance attaches to
Madrid letter of Saturdays date, received here
to-day by a French diplomatist we'll known on
both sides of the Atlantic. The Tribune CORE
spondent IS unfortunately not at liberty to men
,,on the name Of the writer OF the letter, whose
opportunities for ascertaining the truth at
Madrid are unsurpassed, but is authorized TO
cable the following summary Of its contents:
Madrid, Saturday. July 23
THE situation is far more critical than at any
nrevous time since the war began. On the sur
face the habitual indifference Of all classes of
the people to the national disasters seems
10 continue Social entertainments, popula:
ampsements and bunnghts go on as merrily as
ever. but this apparent apathy is merely super
ecal The slightest incident may at any mo-
yoent precipitate crisis and plunge the coun-
wv into revolution The news which reached
here Thursday of the postponement of the de-
narture of Watsons squadron is regarded as a
definite abandonment of that expedition, ana
causes an immense relief to the spanish Cap
met The work Of defending the seaports' new
ertheess actively continues. and two trans
norris with troops and heavy guns arrived yes
terday at the Canaries.
"Saeasta is now poweress either TO carry on
the war effectively TO conclude peace The
question of the war is thrown into the pacK-
ground by the urgency OF dynasuc consioera-
tons and by measures 70 avert mlhtary pro-
nunciamento. backed by popular uprising Inc
spectre Of revolution has momentarliy restaiheu
the Carlists in the northern provinces, but has
forced Sagasta to put his whole trust IN the
leaders of the army. The generals are now ao-
solute masters at Madrid, and are likely TO cast
aside Saeasta as soon as they have no further
use for him. The artillery is the most demo-
cratic 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 move
ment TO overturn a dynasty. To-day the entire
artillery force Of the garrison Of Madrid is
openly hostile TO the Government. and II ordered
TO fire on the people would certainly re1use 10
do So and would fraternize with the insurgents
Several infantry regiments, when the emer-
eAncv arises. are also ready to follow the exam
pie Of the artillery.
The disaffection OF the army increases day
bv day. officers Of every grade accuse the Min
istry Of incapacity in conducting the war, and
charge them above all with criminal neglect in
failing 10 supply the Santiago force with food
and ammunition. General Polavie1a, a thor
oughly honest loyal soldier of the old school. 4
whose devotion to the Queen Regent is beyond
reproach has had long conferences with the
Queen Sagasta and the leaders Of the Opposi-
ton. Polaveja is the last hope Of the dynasty.
This blunt but genial soldier still retains GER
tain influence with the army. but those who
ought TO know best say that when the time
comes he can no more stem the popular ude
than could Marshal Bugeaud have prevented
the Paris revolution of 1S4S from sweeping
away Louis Philippe.
Not a day passes without the Emperor OF
Austria exert!ug his strong personal influence
with the Queen Regent. urging her TO make
peace at once, no matter at what sacrifice; for
In his opinion the only salvation Of the dynasty
depends upon her ability to do so, and he points
out that the longer peace is delayed so much
the more intense will be the international ex-
plosion which is the real danger to the dynasty.
The Queen is most anxious to act upon the En-
peror's advice, and her great hope is that Pola-
vieja will succeed in obtaining the assent of the
army to permit the Cabinet make such d.
rect offers Of peace 10 Washington as would be
acceptable there But whether Polavieja will
be able to exert the ecessary influence with the
military leaders or not is considered more than
doubtful
TO make the outlook still more dismal, 1t is
known that in spite Of explicit official de 4 Is
republican discomfort is spreading at an alarm |
ing pace in Cordova Valencia, Murcia and
Huelya. The Socialist populace in Cartagena is
kept in check only by the soldiers and sailors |
Of the arsenal and by Camara's fleet"
INTERNAL DISORDERS CONTINUE.