King Alfonso has taken the bull by the horns. Convinced,.
as he alleges, that the Liberal party in Spain is too divided for united action, and that part of it, at least, is not honestly monarchical, be has passed over S. Sagasta, the leader of the existing majority in the Cortes, has prorogued the representa- tive body for three months, and has appointed the Conservative leader, Canovas del Castillo, Premier, with the right of dissolu- tion. S. Canovas has nominated a Reactionary Cabinet, has made Marshal Quesada, a personal devotee of the Bing, Minister- of War, and has admitted the leading Ultramontane, Pidal Mon, Minister of Commerce and Education. He promises not to break with Liberalism, but it is understood that he will, if necessary, employ force sharply and at once. So far he has been obeyed. His new Governors of Provinces have started for their commands, and the Liberals profess to be mainly anxious. about the legality of the elections. They are, however, furious, and the chances of a descent into the streets to the cry of "Universal suffrage !" depend entirely upon the secret temper of the Army, which is not accurately known. It will take some days to communicate with S. Zorrilla, who is supposed to be in Portugal, and who has the threads of the insurrectionary organisation in his hands. Meanwhile, the certainty that the- King will fight, that part of the Army, if not the whole, will adhere to him, and that the Ministry will execute mutineers,. instead of banishing them to Minorca, will have a great effect in inspiring caution, if not fear.
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