As was expected, the Spanish Ministry has fallen, under a
vote of censure, carried by 221 to 126. The Right voted with it, but S. Sagasta's friends, who form the permanent majority, the present Cortes having been elected during his Premiership,. all declared against it, as too Radical in tone. The Ministry have accordingly demanded a dissolution, tendering their resig- nations if the demand is refused. It is believed that the King will send for Sagasta as leader of the majority, and confide the
to him ; but his fall has been very recent, and it is possible that Alfonso may try the Conservative Canovas del Castillo once more, of course with a dissolution. In either event, the more extreme Liberals will be profoundly dissatis- fied, and a sincere fear is entertained by well-informed men that, despairing of victory at the polls in the face of official pressure, they may descend into the streets. The Army is said to be un- decided, but though we have confidence in our informants' judg- ment, we have noticed that in Spain civilians rarely ascertain exactly the opinions of the barrack-rooms. The threat of the present Minister of War to shoot any officer who joins a pro- nunciamiento may make him popular with the soldiers, instead of disliked, and will undoubtedly make officers pause.
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