It is difficult to decide clearly whether the situation in
Spain is serious or not, because it is difficult to ascertain the feeling of the Army, but the signs point to a revival of the Republican movement. S. Canovas del Castillo has overthrown Marshal Martinez Campos, and that General, and most of the Liberal officers, are in angry, though as yet undecided, opposition. The Liberals have quitted the Cortes, protesting that the Premier, S. Cauovas, insults them, and the Republicans hope to gain the Marshal and all sections of the Liberals. No pronunciamiento has occurred, but the populace of Madrid is disturbed, influential officers are watched, and the Government is suspending and punishing Liberal journals as if there were a state of siege. There is a suspicion in Madrid that the French Minister is working for the Republic, and though that is probably untrue, the French example weighs with Spaniards, and the Republi- cans of Madrid make constant demonstrations in honour of the French representative. The Government professes confidence, but Austrians who accompanied their Archduchess are under- stood to doubt whether this time the Hapsburgs have made a matrimonial success. The old saying, " Tu felix Austria nube," has not of late been proved accurate. The Napoleonic mairiage failed, and the Sardinian, and the Empress of Austria's family, the Wittelsbachs, are no longer independent.
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