29 MARCH 1873, Page 1

The state of affairs in Spain appears to grow daily

more anarchic, and the chances seem to lie between the Federal Republic and Don Carlos, whose troops hold their ground in several pro- vinces, and even in Catalonia have got a certain footing. It is to be feared that the authority of the Republican Govern- ment is rapidly diminishing, and the resignations of some of the principal members,—Castelar, for instance,—are generally rumoured. The disorganised Army is behaving apparently with great brutality, and the soldiers are even accused of doing

frequent violence to the women. The Carlists, too, shoot freely, as it is said by their friends, by way of reprisals for the treatment they receive ; but everywhere, we fear, there is the violence which always begins where all authority is despaired of. Unless the Federal Republic speedily develops a statesman of genius, it is to be feared that the party of order will soon con- sider that their only hope is in Don Carlos. The rumour of the Pretender's abdication and return to Geneva is evidently a fabrication.