The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-25
BLACK CLOUDS LOWERING
The Storm Is Going to Break in
Spain Before Long.
A REVOLUTION IS COMING
Whether Don Carlos or q Republic Will
Succeed the Present Dynasty Is
Uncertain-The War Is Not
Popular With the People.

New York, May PA dispatch to the
Herald from Madrid says: The situa-
ton In Spain is more serious han 1t is
generally said to be. Black clouds are
gathering over the peninsula n 1t
will be impossible to avoid the storm
which may burst with terrible effect
and sweep everything in It's path.
Such, at least, Is the expression of
what ! have learned from being here a
month, after having interviewed promi-
nent men as well as those of other
classes. 1 do not mean to deny the
patriotism OF the Spanish, but IL must
not be vaunted to excess for in Mad
rid. for example. the fluctuations of
the wal and interest in the island are
like the drawing of a national lot
terry.
The question which will cause the
revolutionary movement of which 1
have spoken is that of bread. The
bread question has already led to con-
fiicts in some towns. Spain is just
now passing through a very serious
economic crisis. 1t is the result Of an
extraordinary rise in exchange from
France. which one day reached 1l5.
Taking advantage of the exchange.
French and Belgian corn factors have
bought up all the wheat In Spain,
which they have exported, realizing
,tiho aht1 h,f 49,
cortes passed a bill forbidding the ex-
portation of cereals. the stock of
cereals had already crossed the from
tier, leaving Spain without food for
her own people. 1t therefore became
necessary to buy -four abroad at
ruinous prices to meet the immediate
needs.
I'm Madrid the rise in the price OF
bread has not yet materially increased.
because the mayor promised to indem-
nifty the bakers. but the credits for this
purpose are not large. and when they
are exhausted. the Madrid bakers will
also be obliged to raise the price.
What will happen then? The people.
already in uch straits, will inevitably
Join the numerous political and other
malcontents and the result may be civil
war. With a revolution, which the
army will be powerless to put down.
Don Carlos will come I'm or a repubhc
be proclaimed. 1t is too difficult to
prophecy on this point.
1T Is certain, however, that the
queen regent does not enjoy much sym
pathy among the people. h Is blamed
for several things, the chief Of which Is
tina she too frequently follows the ad-
vice OF her mother. the Archduchess
Elizabeth OF Austria, when a difficulty
arises, and that she too ostentatiously
surrounds herself with cardinals and
bishops, who are sovereign masters at
court. S~paniards also blame the queen
regent for almost remaining in retire
ment when there are requests for her
presence at any great fete. They do
not know her. and consequently can
have no sympathy for her.
THE young king Is never In ques-
ton. The queen regent was not pres
ent at the patriotic 'g~rancorrida,' the
receipts of which were destined for
the national subscription. h other
day. because she feared a hostile dem
onstration. which certainly would have
occurred she had passed through the
streets.
las regards the war. the people do
not entirely share the opinion of the
queen regent. The loss of Cuba and
Porto Rico and the Philippines would
cause the Spanish people to rejoice.
Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippines
were three mich cows Of the ruined
Spanish government and the people
were taxed to keep them supported.
Let America take them. 1t would be
the greatest good they could do us.
They ought to have been given to them
without war; That is what l have
heard at least 200 times from the
mouths of the Spanish people. and l am
convinced that an immense majority
think this now"