Year: 1869

q. w. y.


THE REVOLUTION.


DEBATES IN THE CoRTEs-ABoLTIoN OF THE


CoNscRIPTIoN LAws-THE NEW coNsTIrU-


TIoN.


IPRoN OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT I


MADRID, March 6.-The most important question
recently debated in the Cortes was the appointment
of Commission to consider the expediency OF abol-
shing the conscription for land and sea forces IL
was submitted to-day by Louis Blanc, the Republican
deputy for Huesca, on petition signed by 2oOVo
electors His speech was brief and busness-llke.
He alleged it to be not question OF party, out Oh
broad humanity. No army was required to keep out
foreign enemy, the people would give good ac-
count of such if any came and were also well able 10
maintain order in the State. under inst govern
ment Gen. Prm, with more suayity OF man
ner than is his wont to exhibit announced his entire
concurrence with the last speaker. as to the desra-
bility of doing away with the conscrpton. He
Prim) had been a consistent opponent OF the sys-
TEN, when he sat on the opposition benches,
and was prepared now he exercised the
functions of Minister of War, to carry
out his principles But another form of enlist
nent must replace the conscIiption for he was not
of the view that Spain did not require standing
army were il only to defend the integrity of the soil
He said this without in the remotest degree detract
ing from the utility and valor of the volunteer forces
At the present moment, for instance 1900 men had
been sent TO Cuba TO Gen. Dulce to act against the
insnrrectionsts there More might be required even
the whole army with the Minister of War at its head,
to maintain the honor of the Castan flag first, and
then TO give the colony all the liberties enjoyed IN the
Pennsuar If Senor Blanc would withdraw his propo-
sition the Government would brng forward
a bin having for its basis the abolition
V5,,ffn and fhQ n
army of volunteers 1t would not be difficult to OBJ
tain men, but they would cost more, and this was
question for the Cores to consider At the present
time every soldier cost the State reals 7S centmes
tabout 9jd1 day. amounting to 100000 reals
wear for the $1,000 men constituting the actual
strength of the army To secure volunteer soldiers,
a man must be offered at least the average rate of a
DAVIS wages or about Gl reals, rather more than
double what the soldier now costs. III It were
thought the nation could bear this additional charge,
he should be glad, during his administration, to carry
out the idea of abolishing the conscrption. Tho
Minister of Marine, Topete, was of opinion those
were mistaken who thought II possible
10 do without marine forces. He would like
to see the figure volunteers of liberty, how
ever brave on land would cut board a man
of-war For his own part no would take good care
not 10 trust himself with feet manned, even TO
90 on a voyage of pleasure round Cape Horn. Senior
Blanc expressed the satisfaction of the minority with
the explanatory statement made by the Minister OF
War on behalf of the Government small stand
ing army might. under present circumstances, be
necessary and the mode of raising It would be taken
into consideration by the Commission. Gen. Prim
replied that at the present time 5000 men were
necessary as the effective strength OF the army, but
within any given period 100000 might be not more
than sufficient. and soon after fewer than $1,000
might do Sehor Topete hoped If the proposition
were proceeded with, the question of the cohscrip-
tion for the navy would DO separated from that of
forced service for the army as the two matters
entirely distinct. SeIor Blanc said if the Chamber de-
cided to take the motion before IL into consideration,
aud referred ii to the sections for the appointment Of
a commission to deliberate and report, no doubt
convenient mode of meeting the difficulty raised by
the Minister Of Marine would be found The CoTtes
finally determined upon this course, without dis
sentient voice Beside the matters above referred
TO- the Chamber has appointed certain committees
to expedite business, among them one on style"
1t is TO be hoped this particular body will direct its
attention to pairing down within convenient limits
redundancy Of expressions characteristic of the
Spanish official mind, and which is so bewildering
to those whose object is to get at the pth of decree
without having to wade through wilderness of
words Committee, whose functions much
more important is that on tho Constitution. 1t was
nominated on the ID and IS composed of fifteen
members of course selected from the coalition
jorty and in equal numbers. II is understood that
it will present the result OF its labors Tuesday
next when we may look forward to the inaUgura-
ton of the real business Of the session. Ii is, how
ever, not impossible further delay may take place.
for the tacticians on the Republican side feel
that the longer the present state OF things
continues, the moro certain is tho prospect
of firmly establishing the Republic. Up
to this time they have succeeded in protracting
the debates ON the election returns, because they
offer grand opportunities for showing up the
maneuvers of the Government to secure mon
archical majority, and every fresh disclosure tends
TO weaken its moral influence. Few political parties
have been so fortunately served by circumstances
has the Republican minority, which is really-pars-
doxical as it may seenstronger, having the sltua-
ton in its favor than the latter against it, and
itself commanding majority Here, to wit, Is Ser
rano virtually the President Of Republic. though
the name be wanting He is the head of the Execu-
tive. The Ministers are his. Prim is no longer his
equal but his subordinate. He may at pleasure re-
move and create He is accountable only to the
Cortes. This arrangement suits the Republican
policy exceedingly and the party would not object
TO see Serano constituted the first President OF the
Spanish Republic, for he is generally |egarded as o