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Page 4
The giving of hostages is therefore considered the most binding form of
agreement between savage peoples.
In this instance, however, the story that the Ameer demanded hostages
does not appear to be true.
A later despatch says that the messengers sent by the Afridis and
Orakzais were turned back at Jelalabad, and ordered to leave the
country.
The principal request they had to make of the Ameer was that he would
give them ammunition; bullets, gunpowder, and cartridges.
The fact that the Ameer sent them back without granting them an audience
has convinced the British that he is sincere in declaring himself
friendly to that nation.
The mullahs, or priests, have been persuading the people that the Ameer
would help them as soon as the revolution was firmly established. It is
these same mullahs who are responsible for the suspicions the English
had of the Ameer.
It is said that the tribesmen are just beginning to understand that the
Ameer does not mean to help them, and that they have only themselves to
look to, to support their rebellion against England.
* * * * *
There is a report from Cuba that the Spaniards have reconquered the town
of Las Tunas. This, however, seems hard to believe. 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.
Se�or 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.
Finding that they could get no help from the Government, the members of
the church appealed to the Bishop who had charge of the district in
which the plundered church was situated.
The anger of this bishop knew no bounds. He would not allow the Church
to be so shamefully robbed, and sent an angry demand to the minister
that he refund the money instantly.
Se�or Reverter declined to do so, saying that the country had need of
it, and upon his refusal the Bishop, without more ado, excommunicated
him.
Excommunication is a terrible punishment to inflict on any one. It means
that the sinner cannot enjoy any of the privileges of the Church, and
that he is forbidden all its comforts and blessings. Further than that,
it almost amounts to boycotting (see p. 998), for all churchmen who do
business with an excommunicated man, or serve him, are put under the ban
of the Church, and become outcasts with him. So that at one blow a man
loses friends and servants, and even has difficulty in getting food and
clothing.
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