SPAIN.
During the years 1858-9 a feeling sprang up in Spain hostile to England. This was partly attributable to France, which, in every direction, professing alliance with England, endeavoured to foster jealousies and enmities against her. Partly the feeling arose from the demands of the English government for the payment of a debt due by that of Spain ever since war between Don Carlos and Christina. Nearly half a million sterling was then advanced by England to aid the cause of the Spanish queen. The queen and her government, while indulging in the most reckless extravagance, were unwilling to pay.
In 1859 Spain went to war with Morocco, on grounds which England did not deem sufficient, and projects of territorial aggrandizement were suspected as actuating the Spanish administration. England could not allow Spain to erect a fortress opposite to Gibraltar, on the Straits, and such was believed throughout Europe to be the real object of the Spanish minister. France was solicitous to weaken the power of the Moorish empire, and so promote her own designs of encroachment. A Spanish war was favourable to such an object. It would also be practicable for the French, at any time, to expel the Spaniards, and seize upon their positions, and hold a point as powerful for the command of the Straits of Gibraltar as the rock itself. The policy of France was anti-English and anti-Spanish throughout, although O’Donnel, the Spanish minister, regarded it as advantageous to Spain. The demand by England for repayment to her of the loan so long due by Spain, at such juncture, was interpreted by the Spanish government and people as an act of hostility; and the press of Paris, with the connivance of the imperial government, kept up, and, to a great extent, created the opinion. The modus operandi of the English government was, however, so conciliatory, yet firm, as to force respect from the cabinet of Madrid, and evoke assurances which were satisfactory, although few in England believed them sincere.