Year: 1875

SPANISH POLITICS.


The Madrid correspondent of the
Pail Mall Gazette writes to that Jour
nal: Not for manyyears has political
intrigue IN Spain been 50 active as it is
at present. All parties are involved,
except the Republicans and the Car
lists. These Indignantly watch the
course Of events, the former cOwed, but
bent upon revenge, the latter, savage
and, sxpectant, and both persuaded, in
their fanaticism, that Alfonso XII. has
come to prepare the way for them.
The Struggle for power, going on Just
now, Is between the Reactionists
and Conservative Liberals, or rather
fraction of the latter, for Serrano
heads another. The end Of it viii most
probably be the usual compromise be-
tween absOlutism and mock liberalism,
such as characterized thereign of Isabel
Ia III. when the Government relied upon
the Army instead Of itself. Then
there was no civil war. Now the Gov
ernment has to provide two armies; one
to take care Of it, the other to fight the
Carlists. The high Catholic notions
with which King Alfonso has been i'm
bued by his unfortunate mother render
him particularly liable to reactiOnary
and priestly influences. Were it not
for his political guardian, Canovas, and
one or two ministers who know the
times they live in, it would not take
much urging 70 make the young mon
arch inaugurate a paternal despOtism
and become the most Obedient son Of
the Church who ever wore a crown. So
things are In suspense. Marshal Sc
rannO and his fraction are not idle amid
the general hustle. He bids high for the
support of the Protestant plenipoten-
tiaries here, as King Alfonso does for
that of the clergy. Il is supposed that
these diplOmatists have been instructed
by their respective governments to
watch the course Of events, to report
frequently, encourage the government
in a liberal policy and firmly oppose any
attempt to interfere with or put down
religious liberty. This sounds well,
only it may tend to encourage the dip
lomatists IN question to support secret
" public men favorable to their views
and intrigue against their antagonists.
Public opinion IN Spain has always been
very strong against foreigners mixing
themselves up IN her political affairs,
although by one Of those para
doxes so common IN this land of
unexpected events they have done so
for the last hundred years. Itremains
to be seen whether the bestowal of the
order Of the Golden Fleece upon Prince
Bismarck compliment which has
thoroughly disguised the President of
the French Republic-will mOllify him
toward the Government of Alfonso
XII, but as long as his Majesty fayOrs
the clergy be may be sure to have the
German Chancellor for an enemy, while
the Republicans and Radicals viii OBJ
tain his secret support. As for us,
British statescraft has bought its
Spanish experience dear enough during
the last half century, and learned, it is
to be hoped, to eschew meddling IN
Spanish affairs, OF offering unasked for
advice to Spanish Governments.


Alfonso XII, who does not want
courage, has more than once expressed
q ANoJAuOAOu 70 pun E4ul5ClL de5 AIN dC INC
the head Of Army Of the North as soon
as the intended operations in spring
commence. But well-informed persons
here are confident that the war viii
come to q peaceful conclusion before
then; while others equally acquainted
with the negotiations Government is
carrying on with Gen. Cambrera, are
Of contrary opinion. 1t
was fully expected that as
soon as Prince Alfonso became King
part Of the Cariist forces would 90 over
10 him and the remainder disband
And now, perhaps, the detection of
Cabrera viii only render the contest
more obstinate. At any rate the Gov
ernment is very anxious about the
safety of the Army Of the North, and
frequent are the messages sent by the
Minister of War to the COmmander-in-
Chief to guard against surprise.