No. 420.
Mr. Adee to Mr. Fish.
Madrid, April 22, 1872. (Received May 9.)
Sir: A well-founded apprehension exists that a rising of the adherents of Don Carlos is imminent. Rumors of the likelihood of such a course have been long current, and were strengthened by the disturbances which took place, without result, however, in the northern part of Catalonia during and immediately after the recent congressional elections. It seemed probable, nevertheless, until within a few days, that the Carlist leaders would confine their action for a time to combating the existing situation, in the legislative chambers, where they were able to present a compact and determined group of adherents.
This anticipation was dispelled, however, by the publication in the legitimist journals of the 20th instant of an order emanating from the Duke of Madrid, directing the withdrawal of the Carlist minority from the Cortes. In this document the traditionalist aspirant to the throne states that his followers had accepted the electoral contest chosen by their enemies, although denying its legality, and the result having shown the appeal to popular suffrage to be “a ridiculous farce of a liberalism which only operated to constrain the national will, to override the rights it proclaimed, and to carry a lie to the Cortes and mourning to the fireside,” he has decreed the retirement of his representatives, thus protesting to day before the nation, leaving for to-morrow the protest in the “field demanded by the oppressed country and by the aspirations of his Spanish heart.”
This reckless pronunciamento was at once accepted by the government as a declaration of civil war. The members of the central Carlist committee were arrested and imprisoned the same night, among them being a deputy-elect; military precautions were taken in the disaffected provinces, the railways summoned to hold their rolling-stock at the disposition [Page 553] of the authorities, and every preparation made to combat the looked-for uprising.
There appears to be little doubt that a general insurrectionary movement is at hand. The Duke of Madrid is reported to be at Perpignan awaiting his opportunity to cross the French frontier and head the rebellion. Already the telegraph brings news of small bands of armed peasants taking to the hills, under the leadership, in most instances, of the village priests, who seem eager to revive the militant spirit of the church of the middle ages.
The fate of an unaided Carlist rebellion can hardly be doubtful. The army cannot be counted upon in its aid. Unless a corresponding movement be inaugurated by the republicans, its speedy suppression is probable. The future attitude of these is uncertain. Although the tendency of the party is in favor of withdrawal from the Cortes, its cooler leaders discountenance the wish of the extremists to raise a further issue in the field. Should their more moderate counsels prevail, it is probable that the prestige of the new dynastic government of Spain will be strengthened by the overthrow of an insurrection of an alarming character. Indeed, appearances indicate that the present government contemplates the issue with satisfaction.
I am, &c.,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.