SPAIN. 



741 



On January 1, 18Y2, the aggregate length of 

 railroads in operation was 3,300 miles. On 

 the island of Cuba there were, in 1871, 397 

 miles in operation. 



In the middle of January, the Spanish minis- 

 try sent a circular to the governors of prov- 

 inces, instructing them to suppress all organi- 

 zations belonging to or in any way connected 

 with the International Society, within their 

 respective jurisdictions. They were directed, 

 while thus breaking up a system dangerous to 

 civil peace, not to interfere with liberty of 

 speech, and to take no notice of the simple 

 enunciation of the principles of the Interna- 

 tional Society, as the laws of Spain provided 

 no punishment for such utterances. 



The circular caused remonstrances from all 

 members of the International Society in all 

 parts of Spain, and the Internationals of Ma- 

 drid made an earnest appeal for the revoca- 

 tion of the instructions. 



King Amadeus, in order to give to the great 

 Spanish statesman, Espartero, a proof of his 

 high respect, offered to him the title of Prince 

 of Vergara. Espartero at first declined this 

 title, but subsequently reconsidered his refusal, 



and signified his acceptance of the honor 

 offered him by the King. 



The national Cortes met on January 23d. 

 At a previous caucus of Senators and Deputies, 

 it was resolved to present and support the 

 name of Sefior Zorilla as President, against 

 the ministerial candidate, Sefior Herrera. The 

 ministry made the election of Herrera a cabi- 

 net question ; but, during the proceedings pre- 

 liminary to organization, it became evident 

 that the temper of the House was against the 

 G-overnment, and that the ministerial candi- 

 date for the chair had little chance of success. 

 On the test-vote the opposition showed itself 

 largely in the majority, and Herrera's defeat 

 in the regular election for President was inev- 

 itable. For this, Sefior Sagasta did not wait. 

 He immediately visited the King, and informed 

 him that the vote in the Cortes left him but 

 two alternatives the dissolution of the Cortes 

 or the resignation of the ministry. The latter 

 course was decided upon, and the King said he 

 should take counsel with the President of the 

 Senate, the Vice -President of the House, and 

 with Sefiors Herrera, Zorilla, and Serrano, be- 

 fore the formation of a new Cabinet. 



