13 FEBRUARY 1892, Page 2

The Spanish Government has adhered to its resolution to make

anarchy in action a capital offence. Four of the men belonging to an Anarchist Society, who shared in the attempt to capture and plunder Xeres, have been sentenced to death, and were executed on Wednesday by the garotte. Two of them remained defiant to the last, and loudly proclaimed their belief in their frightful doctrine. It was believed that they had sympathisers in Xeres, and the scaffold was rigidly' guarded, while the town itself suspended its avocations_ Morally, there is no objection to the executions, for anarchy in action is open treason, a levying of war against the State ; but we question the policy of inflicting death. It is like pro- claiming no quarter on the battle-field. The decree may cow some opponents, but it makes the majority fight with the- courage of despair.