The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-06
SPANS POLITICAL FUTURE.

II Spain had AZ is head a man Of
strong character ne could probably
maintain his dynasty. in spite OF the
deplorable condition CT the country.
spain would be failure as q republic.
and the peace Of Europe depends 20
some extent upon the choice OF the
ruler. even ~ much as the salvation
Of the country from ruin does. The
only candidate for Spanish sovereignty
is Don Carlos. and he owes his prosni-
nence more to his promises OF q reae-
tionary policy than he does to any real
claim upon the throne. His claim Is
based upon his descent from Don Car
los. second son OF Charles ". OF Spain
and brother of Ferdinand VII. who
succeeded Charles ". The first Don
Carlos had hoped to occupy the throne
upon the death Of his brother. but by
abrogation OF the Salic law. Isabella.
daughter OF Ferdinand. became his sue
cesssr. and thus the line OF descent was
interrupted and changed. This action
has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the
cortes, so that Don Carlos il now only
q remote pretender.
He Is. however. thoroughly Spanish
In his ideas. The foundation OF a lib
eral monarchy was held as promising
a better future for Spain, but the strong
religious bias of the people and the
aristocratic tendency OF the governing
classes has made them lose sight OF the
about better conditions under the lin
tied monarchy now prevailing.
Even should Don Carlos be successful.
his influence promises very little advan-
fage 70 the country. His advent means
a return to the exterme ecclesiasticism
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 TO any person at
tending any worship which was not
that Of the Roman Catholic church.
He will find 1t impossible. on aecoun,
OF vested rights. to keep his promises
with reference 10 all the church prop
erty, but he VIII do his best TO carry
out the threats based on religious in
tolerance. His pledges serve the pur-
pose of winning over To him the VII
iaxe priesthood and through them the
iiiiterate masses. particularly in the
Basque or northwestern provinces. He
has added TO these allurements the ex-
pectation OF a more vigorous war pol
Icy. which. IA spite of financial depres-
sion. tempts the unthinking.
With any other people, dispelling the
Illusion entertained by the masses of
their national power might have had
the result of awakening them frofa
their dormancy. Defeat would have
stimulated them TO take broader view
of the world outside peninsular limits.
That THE is improbable Is shown by the
favor with which the reactionary policy
of Don Carlos Is received. II Is incred-
iblc that any people In Europe can long
be SO blind TO their impotence and ~
the necessity Of beginning TO move
along the lines adopted by other ma
:ions. The accession of Don Carlos II
tho throne can only be a temporary ar
rangement. Following him there viii
surely arise a national leader who can
arouse the people 10 a realization OF
their backward condition. The fnan-
cial einbarrassments Of the country will
fer several years proven; any eniight-
encd policy. because OF the discomfort
OF the people. but unless some change
takes place Spain viii be absorbed by
another power. There IS not room in
this rapid age for two Turkeys In Eu-
rap@