A diplomatic struggle, rather more serious than appears on the
surface, has occurred between Madrid and Versailles. The French Government resolved to recall their Ambassador in Spain, M. de Chaudordy, and replace him by the Comte de Choiseul, a diplomatist of decidedly Republican opinions. King Alfonso objected to this nomination, rather brusquely, believing, apparently, that the French Minister would become a centre- of Republican agitation. The Government of Versailles, considering that the question involved the whole future of its Diplomatic Service, stated that it would not, of course, force on Madrid an Ambassador personally unacceptable to the King, but that it would not desist from appointing a pronounced Republican, and that it had consequently recalled M. de Chau- dordy, and proposed to send Admiral Juares, a strong Republican. King Alfonso thereupon yielded, but the incident betrays the alarm with which Senor Canovas still regards Republican institu- tions. The one Government which influences Spain is that of France, and the notion in Madrid evidently is that a Republican Envoy from France will furnish a centre to the whole Republican party,—a notion probably sound enough, but open to this retort, that the Spanish Ambassador, who is sure to be lie with the Orleanists, has full liberty to make Paris monarchical, if he can. The Spanish Court might as well object to the American Minister, for not being an advocate of Divine Right.
Previous page
