Only last week
reliable information was sent to us, that, owing to the impossibility of
sparing enough men to guard the town, the Cubans had decided to destroy
it, and had accordingly burnt it to the ground.
The Carlists are daily assuming a more threatening attitude.
In the hope of quieting the people, who have become fearful lest a civil
war should break out, the Government spread a report that Don Carlos had
given up his claim to the throne of Spain, and that there was no fear
that he would cause any trouble.
Don Carlos, however, caused a letter to be published throughout Spain,
in which he denied the story, and said he was only waiting until the
proper time arrived to come forward. He added that one hundred thousand
volunteers were ready to take up arms for him at his call.
Side by side with this unwelcome announcement comes the news that there
is fresh trouble in the Spanish Cabinet.
Senor Reverter, the Spanish minister of finance, that is to say, the
minister who has charge of the money affairs of Spain, has been
excommunicated by the Church of Rome.
This minister has had a very hard battle to fight against the poverty of
his country, and her pressing need for money.
In his anxiety to help her he committed the unwarrantable act of seizing
money belonging to one of the churches, and using it for the Government.
The Church protested against this robbery, but the minister declared
that the Government must have the money she needed, and, in spite of the
indignation of the churchmen, proceeded to take it.
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