Year: 1873

ing for e ROD DO Prusse, and one OF these days
when the foundations OF the Republic have been
completely sapped, the Dag OF Prince Alfonso
will be shaken to the breeze, and we shall have
three>0ornered contest to decide who shall direct
the destnes OF Spain. How that seemingly inev-
liable struggle will end 1t Is, OF course, Impossible
to say, and 1t would require far greater amount
OF Information than can pretend to possess at
present even to form an opinion that would be
worth anything. On the voyage here OBJ
tanned some startling information about
the aims OF parties and the private opinions
of prominent men on the political stage
Many of these statements appeared to me incred
ble and simply invented by political antagonism
to damage opponents, and was inclined to look
on much o. the Information given to me as simply
sensational. since my arrival here. however
have had cause to change my mind. and place
more faith In the curious revelations made to me-


ARE CASTELAR, AND FIGUERAs TRAIToRs9


An officer who had occupied very important
post in the government OF Cuba informed me, IN
one OF our many discussions on the future of the
Republic OF Spain, that even Figueras and CASTELAR,
were conspiring with the Allonsst party for
its overthrow. He assured me that Figueras
was in actual communication with Cabal-
lero de ROdas. and that the restoration
OF the monarchy would be decided upon





sprators were assembling to arrange their final
action. This gentleman, who plumes himself on the
honor of the adherents OF despotism, is an officer
OF high grade ana cOoy announced his intention
OF requesting leave OF absence IN order to go join
the conspratOrs. As proof OF Figueras hfamy
find this officers name among q list of forty
others whom the fugitive President promoted the
day before he ran away. 1t Is only five months
since this officer was promoted out of his turn by
the same occult influence that has won him his last
step. Under these circumstances fear that there
is no longer any reason to doubt that Figueras is
traitor. the as he is spoken Of by his sup
posed political opponents as man of .'order''-
moral order" OF the latest French pattern.


In view OF this treason on the part of man
whom the outside world was wont to look upon as
one OF the stOutest champions OF republicanism In
the Peninsula, 1t becomes impossible to judge what
may be


THE FUTURE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC.


Unfortunately for its chances OF success many Of
the loudest and most violent supporters of this
form Of government are the secret enemies of all
forms of republican government. With treachery
that seems particular to Spanish politics In the Old
and New Worlds, these men have come forward as
uphOlders OF the federal idea, with the object OF
rendering all republican organization impossible,
in order that one of the rival despotsms should
be restored. Both the Carlists and Allon.
sists have been guilty of this conduct,
which ought to discredit them in the
eyes OF the civilized world. 1t Is
to be feared that the consequence OF this
Macbavelan policy will be more serious than its
promoters intended. Not alone is there danger
that the federal Republic will be unable to restore
peace and order but is probable that the present
disorganiZation will spread and take such proper.
tions that no party will be able to organize the
nation until the country has been completely eX-
hausted by prolonged nternecine struggle Two
efforts have already been made by the Alfonsist
party 10 seize on the reins OF power, and, though
for want Of leader ft to cope with the occasion,
both these attempts have failed they will certainly
be renewed The mysterious demonstrations On
the nights of the 23d April and 11th of May were
intended 10 overthrow the republican government,
and In both have good reason to believe that
Figueras was concerned. 1t Is certain that
he was in communication with Cabelero de Ro-
das before the first date, and my friend, the con-
spring Colonel, gave me the following explanation
of the first attempt:-''In Spain there are two
military organizations that have never taken part
In any revolt against the established government
of the day, but have confined themselves to i'm
plicitly obeying whatever party may be In power.
After the dissolution OF the old Cortes the Commits
sion they had created represented the legal power
OF the nation, and as they were mOnarchcal in
their opinions. IL they had dismissed the govern
ment and taken possession OF the ministry, both
Engineers and the Guardla Civil would have recog
nzed them as the legitimate government. This
would have enabled the monarchisis to control
the elections to the new Cortes and put
an end 10 the Republic" Fortunately ''some-
body bundered," and the seven monarchical bat
taons of volunteers delayed their actions too
long, until Sefor Estevanez, the present Minister
OF War, assembled the republican volunteers and
rendered new revolution too doubtful to be at.
tenpted. 1t seems clear TO me that, though
neither the Guardia Civil nor the Engineers took
any active part IN this conspiracy, that at least
some among them were well aware of the treason
that was being hatched against the government.
The peculiar sense OF nonor that Ia cultivated
among spanish officers however, appears to have
been perfectly satisfied by simply avoiding the
commission OF any overt act and adopting the
safe II not very glorious alternative OF waiting to
see what would turn up.


THE FEDERAL IDEA


has excited all the latent anger OF the army and
naval officers against the republican lorm of GOV.
ernment, as they fear that the next step Will be
the abolition OF both services and their conse-
duent reduction to penury. The conduct OF some
foolish men who dream OF carrying republican
theor es to the extreme OF abolishing all organized
society has served TO develop the distrust OF the
officers, and as a result scarcely any of them are
heartily obeying the government This is the great
secret OF the continuance OF the Carist movement,
the troops sent against the insurgents contenting
themselves with going through the form of op-
posing or seeking the enemy. Now and then con.
flicts occur but they are rarely OF any importance
and serve only to keep up the fiction that the cam
paign Is being carried ON seriously against the
Carists 1t is questionable, however if


ALroNsIsTs


have not spoiled their own chances of success by
the Reorganization they have encouraged in the
army, IN order to paralyze the Republic. breach
has been made between o1icers and soldiers that
it may be impossible to bridge over The men per-
ceive that the pretended campaign against the
Carsts is sham, and, encouraged by oficious re.
publican agents they nave come 10 look with aus.