The Zorillists, as they call in' Spain the Republican section
favourable to violence, have made another futile attempt at revo- lution. Late on Sunday night, three hundred men, infantry and cavalry belonging to the garrison of Madrid, broke out of barracks and crossed Madrid to invite the artillery stationed near the docks to join them and proclaim the Republic. The artillery fired on them instead, and the men dispersed, part of -them flying southwards by railway. General Pavia, who com- mands in Madrid, at once ordered troops in pursuit, the provin- cial garrisons remained faithful, and by Wednesday tho whole of the insurgents had been captured, mostly in small parties. It is believed that the men will be pardoned, as mere tools, but that the chief mutineer, General Villacampa, the officers, commis- sioned and non-commissioned, and the ringleaders of the few civilians who joined the movement, will be executed. The -e)neute has rather strengthened than weakened the throne, and its organisers failed to secure even the Stock Exchange profit from a fall which was their first object ; but it is doubtful whether lenity would be good policy. Two Generals, General Velarde and a Count Mirasol, were murdered en route; and the recent history of Europe suggests that the old ideas as to the heinousness of treason had an excuse not only in morals, but in sound policy. It is a curious fact that a rumour, based, it is said, on a telegram, was circulated in London on Monday that ' the baby "—i.e., the infant King—" has been stolen." Was that part of the plot ? At all events, they could not make him sign his abdication.
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