NEWS OF THE WEEK.
RUMOURS are circulating everywhere of a coming intervention in Spain. They are not yet distinct, but they are evidently based upon some fact which, to judge from the telegrams flying over Europe, would appear to be this :—Prince Bismarck has de- cided to oppose the Carlists, as likely, should they win, to aid the Ultramontanes ; has found in the execution of Captain Schmidt a popular reason for interference, and has asked all the leading Courts to assent to his design. How far he intends to go is not apparent, but he has ordered a squadron to visit the north coast of Spain, and stop the arrival of arms ; has demanded and obtained from France greater vigilance on her frontier -- where, however, there will be no anxious vigilance till the Legiti- mist Prefects are removed — and has proposed to recognise the existing Government in Spain. It will be necessary to do much more than this before the Carlista are put down, and doing it is exceedingly difficult, owing to the Spanish dislike of foreign interference ; but it will not suit German statesmen, when once in movement, to be baffled in front of Europe. Accordingly, we expect much stronger action, and do not, for reasons stated elsewhere, feel certain that the British Government may not take sides in the matter in the name of civilisation. Mean- while, the Spanish Government has as yet published no hint of its intentions, beyond a statement that it has remonstrated with the Government of France, and will, if disregarded, seek new and more faithful alliances. The facts ate as yet uncertain, but that the Spanish war is becoming a danger to European peace is, we conceive, beyond a doubt.
