It is doubtful if there is more reality in the
rumours about the King of Spain, but they look more true. After a splendid reception in Vienna, King Alfonso has gone to Homburg, there to meet the Emperor of Germany and the Crown Prince of Portugal. That might mean nothing, but the Emperor has summoned his Foreign Minister, Count Hatzfeldt, the German Ambassador at Madrid, and the Spanish Ambassador at Berlin, to assist in the conference. This is unusual, unless business is intended, and there can be but one business to discuss,—the admission of Spain, on the same terms as Italy, into the German-Austrian Alliance. The isolation of France would, under such an arrangement, be complete, and she would be held as in a vice ; while in the event of war, a heavy corps d'arm4e must be retained to watch Spain. The plan is a very risky one for the King of Spain, but he is savage at the French Republican intrigues to upset him, and thinks Germany can prohibit them. It should be added that he wants a war, to consolidate his hold over his Army, and is believed to think that if Germany would guarantee him against France, he could personally command in an invasion of Morocco.
