Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-27
ALARM IN SPAIN.
Country on Eve of Revolution-ExiIes to
Invade Spain on Friday.

Cerbere, Franco-SpaniSh Frontier,
July 27.-Several thousand welI-armed,
desperate Spanish exiles were gathered
today in this vicinity on the French
side of the frontier, ready to invade
their own country on July %.
. Tn Barcelona, the Industrial centre Of
Spain, general strike and mammoth
anti-goverpment demonstration has
been planned for the same date The
invaders intend to march straight to
Barcelona to join forces with the strik-
ers. The government has been con-
centrating troops for two weeks, and
the sending of 10000 veterans into
Barcelona yesterday was probably the
first step toward putting down the
rebellion with an iron hand. There is
every prospect OF desperate fighting
between the exiIes and the government
forces, and the disorders that are ex-
pected all over Catalonia will probably
exceed in bIoodshed last summers riot
ing. Many people doubt, indeed, if
this wears revolt will be crushed out
before the present Spanish dynasty is
overthrown.
Just how many exiles will join in the
march from here upon Barcelona it is
impossible to determine Senior Clare
mont, the leader OF the rebels, says
therebe will 20, 600. His estimate is prob
ably too high. but it is a fact that the
men have been reporting here for more
than month AMI that already 5000
or 10000 are on the scene.
Officials Of the Maura administration
in Spain admitted recently in the Cortes
that 10, 900 Spaniards were exiled from
Barcelona for completely in last sum-
mer's outbreak. Few of them went
further than the French frontier,
settling here in the hope that some day
they might re-enter Spain.
The main question is whether Clare
mont and his aides can hold the rank
and file together IN the face Of the
formidable showing Alfonsus seasoned
troops are sure to make. The general
opinion here is that they will succeed.
| The rebel band consists mainly Of Gaia.
lnnians, the best fighters in all Spain,
and most OF them have already seen
service in the Kings army.
The prospective invasion is to follow
a formal demand from the exiles them
selves for general amnesty for last
Summers outbreak. Knowing that
| the exilcs are made up OF irreconciIables,
The government refused. Claremont
thcreupun gave notice that unless the
government yielded By July %, he
would resort to force. The general
fight at Barcelona was decided upon for
the express purpose Of aiding the move
ment by giving the government trouble
Invasion begins on the border. The
energy with which the city's popula
ton generally conducts strike leaves
no doubt that it will be an exceedingly
dangerous affair. Large quantities Of
arms, ammunitions and bombs are said
to have been concealed in the city, in
readiness for use against the troops.
Altogether the situation is ominous.
General Wcyler, the captain-gcneral at
Barcelona, declares he does not believe
the exiles will dare cross the frontier or
that The strikers will resort to violence,
hut the sending of 10000 troops and
1000 gendarmes to Barcelona, together
with the extend and completeness OF
the military precautions he has taken,
suggests that he speaks far more opti-
mistically than he feels.