On Wednesday the debate was resumed again, and that evening
the " incident " , occurred between Senor Moret and Senor La Cierva, the Minister of the Interior. Senor La Cierva, stung by the unceasing interruptions of the Republi- cans, challenged Senor Mora and Count B,omanones to say plainly whether they had been in favour of pardoning Senor 'Ferrer. No answer was given. Senor La Cierva then went
• on to charge Senor Moret with having caused all the recent domestic trouble by his leniency in 1906. That was the year in which the bomb was thrown at King Alfonso on his wedding- day, and in which Ferrer was accused of complicity in the crime, but was acquitted. Senor La Cierva's words were taken as a personal insult by Senor Moret and the Liberals, and the debate became extremely bitter. A Republican Deputy next asked Seilor La Cierva if the Ferrer demonstration which the Socialists and Republicans had arranged for Sunday would be allowed, adding that in any case it would take place. The Minister of the Interior boldly exclaimed that he would see that the demonstration was not held, and Senor 3/aura, as though to show that he was heart and soul with his Minister, leaned forward and shook bands with him.
Two Liberal Deputies, both ex-Ministers, afterwards visited Senor Maura, and informed him that unless an apology were offered to 'Senor Moret the situation would be impossible. It should be understood that in Spain it is practically impossible for any Government to hold offioe without what may be called a working consent on the part of the Opposition. As Senor Moret meant that if there were no apology there would be no consent, Senor Maura's prospect of being able to carry on the Government was almost hopeless. and he decided to resign. The Minister of the Interior, it is true, offered to appease the Opposition by sacri- ficing himself, but all the Ministers were so heartily in agreement with his policy that his offer was refused. Senor Maura has undoubtedly had a more compact following than belonged to any of the short-lived Liberal Administrations which preceded him, and it is notoriously an evil policy to "swap horses" when crossing the stream, and Spain is crossing a very dangerous stream at present. On the other hand, ill-feeling at home could scarcely become much worse, and as Senor lioret's principles are not at all likely to increase the discontent, they may reduce it. As for affairs in Morocco, a change of Government will at least be an excuse for a cautious modification of the war policy. Pride naturally prevented Senor Maura from drawing in his horns. On the whole, we are inclined to look forward to the acts of the new Government which has been formed by Senor Moret with comparative hopefulness.
