The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-04-06
PRIDE OF SPANlARDS.
Conquered Napoleon Why Not Con-
qucr the United States.
WOULD REGARD WAR AS A FATALITY:
Spain is the Mother OF America, an
Unqrateful Child.
1T is A NATTER or SENTIMENT
Honor Demands That They Fight for
Cuba Until, tho Last Drop Of
Hiood is Spilled.

I London, April 5.--Mr. Hobart C. Chat
field-Taylor of Chicago who sailed for
America today, only recently arrived IN
London after II winters so1ourn In Spain,
gave his Impressions of the political and
| social life In that country to Il representa-
| tive of the Associated Press.
| During his stay in Spain MIR. Chatfield-
| Taylor had ample opportunity to ascer-
| tain the feeling which animates the inner
| circles of the government toward the
| United States. He had an audience with
the queen regent, was given an oppor-
tunity of conversirg with the prominent
statesmen and. by virtue IF his acluaint-
ance with the 1nfants Eulalie, was every
where received and entertained by Span
ish families OF the highest social distinc-
ton.
There is one thing that the Americans
don't seem to understand" said Mr. Chat
held-Taylor, and that Is the thoroughly
earnest manner in which the Spaniards
would regard war with the United
States. They would regard IT in the light
OF fatality Once begun. they would en-
ter upon II In Il thoroughly wnole-soued
manner. IN spite OF all me reNerses which
as I nation they have experienced, the
old national prize is far from being
unct. Then, too, this mass OF the people
regard their nation as more than a mill
tary match for America. they argue that
having conquered Napoleon they are "A
mighty military power. The feeling among
Them IS also almost universal that the
Americans are netuated by n purely com
meicial spirit; that IL Wan street should
ana war imminent and "A heavy drop In
stocks the inevitable result, all thought
OF strife would at once be abandoned
Even Spaniards who have lived In AmerI-
ca are not afraid of war. one of these
who had been in the diplomatic service at
Washington. said to me:
We have nothing to, lose by n war
with your country, we have everything
to gam There is also great deal OF
reference made TO the comparative mil
ltary strength Of the two countries. The
Spaniards say: We have 1860 effective
troops in Cuba alone, whereas the Amer
lean army numbers but 25,eo1.'
The feeling AGAINST American inter
ard bitter. The consensus of opinion is
that Cuba VIII eventually be subdued.
II il Il matter of sentiment with them and
,hey VIII defend Cuba to the last drop OF
blood.
''Of course this feeling regarding war
only pertains 10 the masses of the people
The actual statesmen understand what
war would mean and its Consequences.
In any event If war were Declared the
government would probably be forced TO
accept IL by populnr sentiment"
ASKED about the personality of some OF
the leading Spanish statesmen, Mr.. Chat
field-Taylor instanced Emclio Castelar,
at one time president of the Spanish Re
pubic, saying:
81 deem him the most sincere of states
men Being n republican, he has never
put a foot inside the palace yet he ,c-
copied the monarchy as necessary for The
interests of Spain. hut only since the |
monarchy has granted religious and &c
liticai liberty His patriotism shows itself |
m everything. His manner of speaking |
IS wonderfully earnest. He told me- of The |
bitterness of the American attitude 10. |
nation. ""
How is it possible he asked. that |
INC United states should be so ungrateful |
20 me land which gave 1t birthP Spain |
Is the mother of America. and this is tn, |
9 dnn,, iinsratu, nde Of her chil1! You
aoii Know us there: you don't un1er-
stand us. We have more liberty Than
England What did we do in Spaln at
me tlme of the republic? We declared |
UNIVERSAL suffrage. religious and political
ireelom and manumltted the slaves Of
una, IL Is shame that the ~ ople OF
fight for Cuba until the last dror ~
blood is spilled. Her honor demands ~