HC Deb 22 June 1874 vol 220 c222
MR. SANDFORD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government are willing to recognize the existing Government in Spain?

MR. BOURKE

Sir, the question of recognizing the existing Government of Spain is one which has engaged and is engaging the serious attention of Her Majesty's Government. There is no desire on the part of Her Majesty's Government to defer such recognition unnecessarily; on the contrary, it is their wish to give all moral support in their power to those who, under whatever Constitutional form, are endeavouring to maintain freedom and public order against reaction, on the one hand, and revolutionary anarchy on the other; but, considering the essentially provisional character of the present political organization of Spain, they think it better to wait until that organization shall have been placed on a more definite and permanent footing.