NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE most important event in Europe during the past week has been the sudden outbreak of revolutionary disorder in Spain. The defeat of the Spanish forces at Melilla, on the coast of Morocco, made it necessary for Spain at the beginning of the week to send large reinforcements to Africa. As so often happens, the despatch of conscript troops abroad has caused great dissatisfaction, and this dissatisfaction has prompted the people of Barcelona and the province of Catalonia generally—the Catalans are Particularists and loathe the rule of Madrid—to begin what is hardly less than an attempt at a separatist insurrection. As the wires have been cut round Barcelona, and as there is a strict censorship of Spanish news, it is very difficult to say what is the exact situation ; but Friday's telegrams state that the whole business quarter of Barcelona is barricaded, and that fierce fighting is going on with heavy losses on both sides. In other parts of Spain there have been Anarchical and anti-Govern- ment demonstrations, and the King of Spain during the week was hooted outside his palace in Madrid, not only by the mob which shouted " Down with the war !" but also by bodies of soldiers. The Premier, Senor Maurer, is said to have tendered his resignation, but it was refused by the King. The Minister of the Interior has issued a not very judicious communiquO to the Press stating that he has given stringent orders to all provincial Governors " to act without pity."
