the "Liberal Union," the "Progresistas," and the "Democrats." The determination of the future government of Spain was referred to the Constituent Cortes, to be elected by universal suffrage, in January, 1869. Hardly any opposition was made to the Provisional Government by the few partisans of the ex-Queen, or the Absolutists (partisans of the family of Don Carlos); but serious dissensions arose in the last weeks of the year between the Republican party and the Provisional Government. The latter, instead of awaiting the decision of the Constituent Cortes on the form of government, used their whole influence in behalf of the reestablishment of a monarchy. This led to bloody conflicts in Cadiz and Malaga, and threatened more disturbances during the coming year. The strength of the Republican party was a surprise to the entire world, and even appeared to be greater than in any other monarchical country of Europe. (See SPAIN.) Soon after the beginning of the Spanish revolution, insurrectionary movements broke out in Cuba. Being at first somewhat undefined, and directed partly against the reëstablishment of a monarchical government in the Spanish dominions, and partly for severing the connection of Cuba with Spain, they soon became entirely a war of independence. The great majority of the population in Cuba showed itself in sympathy with the insurrection, and at the close of the year still held out against the Spanish forces. (See SPAIN.)

England, at the beginning of the year, found herself at war with Abyssinia. The landing of the troops had begun in October, 1867, but a real advance did not take place until January, 1868. Hardly any resistance was offered by King Theodore until the arrival of the English, in April, 1868, before his stronghold, Magdala, where he made a desperate fight, and, after the capture of the fort, fell by his own hand. The English troops at once evacuated the country. (See ABYSSINIA.)

Russia is steadily advancing in Central Asia, and, during the past year, conquered the whole country of the Emir of Bokhara. The Russian Government disclaims any intention of annexing, for the present, additional territory; but, at all events, she is steadily increasing her power and influence in Asia. Russian writers claim that Russia is, and England and France are not, Asiatic powers, and that the time will come when European powers like England and France will receive notice to quit Asia. (See RUSSIA.)

The insurgents in Candia continued throughout the year to defy the authority of the Turkish Government, being encouraged by the frequent arrival of men and ammunition from Greece, and by the sympathy of Russia and the United States. In December, the Turkish Government presented to that of Greece an ultimatum, demanding a pledge that no further aid should be given to Candia. The ultimatum was rejected by the Greek Government, the

Turkish ambassador left Athens, and the Greek ambassador Constantinople, and the relations between the two countries became so unfriendly that, for some days, a war was regarded as inevitable. But the great powers of Europe promptly interfered, and agreed upon a European Conference, to be held in Paris in January. (See CANDIA, GREECE, TURKEY.)

No agitation at all was caused during the year by the question of the annexation of Rome to Italy, or by the efforts made in Germany for the consummation of German unity. The Roman question again formed the subject of a diplomatic correspondence between the Governments of Italy and France; but the Italian party of action took no steps toward another expedition against the temporal power, and the Italian Government put off to the future all its hopes for consummating the unity of the kingdom. Prussia expressly vindicated her right to comply with the application of any of the South-German States for admission into the North-German Confederation; and the Government and people of Baden expressed a great desire to enter the Confederation at once, but practically no step was taken in advance, and, this being so, France appeared very anxious to avoid any quarrel with Prussia. (See FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY.)

The party of progress in Europe, which aims at narrowing the prerogatives of royalty and of aristocracy, and of reconstructing the states on the principles of popular sovereignty and universal suffrage, gained several important victories during the past year. In Spain the Provisional Government ordered the municipal elections and the election for the Constituent Cortes to take place, on the basis of universal suffrage; and as three of the political parties-the Republicans, the monarchical Democrats, and the Progressists-are in favor of universal suffrage, it was expected that, whatever form of government may be decided upon by the Constituent Cortes, universal suffrage will be engrafted upon the new Spanish Constitution. Next in importance was the great victory of the Liberal party in England. They had, in 1867, compelled the Tories to consent to a considerable enlargement of the law of suffrage. This year the majority of the House of Commons, under the leadership of Mr. Gladstone, passed resolutions in favor of disestablishing the State Church of Ireland, and when thereupon Parliament was dissolved and an appeal made to the people, the new election largely increased the Liberal majority in the House of Commons, and led to the formation of a Liberal Cabinet, under the leadership of Mr. Gladstone. The Liberal ministry in Austria, which was appointed in December, 1867, maintained itself, notwithstanding all the violent attacks upon it on the part of the priesthood. The Concordat of 1855 was abolished, and the principles of religious and civil liberty struck deep root throughout the land.

In France the Liberal party remained de