The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1899-02-10
spAIN Excited ovER FORK.


spanish More Interested In their storn-l
aehs Than In Their Colonies
Madrid correspondence Of st. Louis
Globe. Democrat; II Is dinicult for any
foreigner who lives among the Span
iards to understand how they have
come by their reputation for gravity
and seriousness. Throughout the re-
cent disastrous war the people, hero
have manifested the most amazing In
difference to the mlstortunes OF their
country, have declined to permit the
interruption Of any OF their amuso-
monts or sports. and have displayed a
frivollty beyond all conception. From
what hear II has been the Same In
most Of the provincial towns and
cities Of the peninsula
Within the last few weeks treaty
has been imposed upon Spain by her
victorious foe. which marks her
eclipse as n colonial power. and the I'M
happy kingdom Ia menaced by bank
ruptcy, ministerial crisis and civil
war. Yet In spite OF all these subjects
OF patriotic concern, public opinion has
been monopolized by question OF
pork, which has been productive OF .
condition OF popular excitement which
not even the news OF the defeats OF
Manila and Santiago had been able to
arouse. II there Ia one species OF
meat which the Spanlards prefer TO
every other II Ia pork. and there 10
probably no people in Europe that
consumes such an enormous qnatity Of
hog meat In the shape OF ham. pigs
liver. black pudding and particularly
sausage.
About four weeks ago n quarrel took
place between the aausagemakers and
tho pig dealers. in consequence OF
which the latter declined TO furnish
any hogs TO the Madrid market. and
the lament OF the expiring porker was
no longer heard In the metropolitan
slaughter yards. A dearth OF pork.
pigs liver and sausage ensued. which
brought dismay into the homes OF both
rich and poor, and created the most
Intense popular excitement The
newspapers have been devoting far
more space TO the pork and sausage
famine than 10 the carlist conspiracy
or 10 the Paris treaty. and the moat
extraordinary and extravagant storiea
have been In circulation. according to
one OF which the famine was due 10
the artinces OF a philanthroplc society
organized for the purpose of regenor-
atlng the hog. and for preserving him
from the knife in order 10 become n
useful mombor OF each domestic es-
tablishment Finally popular exas-
peratlon became 80 intense that infr-
entail Populations waited upon tho
premier. the ministerp. the civil gov1
ernor and the alcalde. or mayor, in1
voking and demanding their intervon-
ton TO bring about the termination od
the pork famine. The mayor. indeed
has received numerous letters from In
dignant persons actually threatening
him with death n he continued 10
show more concern for the life OF the
pig than for the welfare OF his fellows
citizens. -rertr
These menacea. ridicuioua though
they may appear. alarmed not only
himself. but also the government. which
perceived therein the imminent danger
OF popular disturbances. and OF pork
riots. that might ultimately result In
the overthrow OF the throne. 20 the
minister OF the Interior and the alcads
and number OF high and military
dignitaries put their shoulders to the
wheel. and after no end OF negotiation
and the distribution OF some decora-
tiona. finally succeeded in roconclling
the dealers and the sausage manufao-
turers.
Tho pork famine came to an end on
Christmas eve. The advent Of Christi
mas day was heralded In a more pop
ular than harmonious fashion by the
aaueakH OF the dying hogs. and the
Madrilenes. quite happy and contented
again. feel that they are once moro In
a position to face with philosophlc res
ignatlon any further national disaster.