They must get a public force first, and to this
end must restore discipline in the Army. General Velarde nearly did this, having condemned five mutineers to death ; but the Figueras Ministry refused to sanction the order, as Spanish life was sacred, and he had to retire. There are not now 2,000 troops in Spain who will obey a command. This looks fatal, but experience shows that it never lasts, that discipline is always re-established even in a pirate ship, and there can be little doubt that some man resolved to have discipline and some force resolute to help him will speedily be found. He may not be a Re- publican, though he may, but the next thing we expect in Spain is an officer, supported by some unexpected force—they may be marines, or soldiers telegraphed for from Cuba, or the Guardia Civile—who will meet mutiny by decimation. At present there is a complete fissure between officers and men, but Spain may find a Dumouriez as well as France, and drilled men can be restored to discipline in an incredibly short time. The chances of the Republic now depend entirely on its developing a man who can make an army, either by money or terror. Failing that, Don Carlos must win, for with nothing in his way he must reach Madrid at last, especially if the officers driven away by the men should join him.
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