Evening star., 1896-04-04

plished. The majority are military eerad4
yates OF Segovia Academy. Spain's West
Point, speak several languages fiuently
and play the mandolin or guitar to perfec-
tion. They are usually good-looking fell
lows, dressed in handsome uniforms; in the
makeup of which all the colcrs of the rain
DOW and several additional ones are used,
and are fairly bespattered with decora-
tions Of various kinds. When. how or
where they performed the various deeds
OF valor which the crosses and eagles are
supposed to represent l never could learn.
In fact. believing it rather touchy SUBJ
5ect, never asked any of them about it.
Gen. Campos, early in the war; laid down
golden rule for Spanish officers and men,
to the effect that loyal son of Spain had
q choice of but two things-a decoration or
death. Pondering on this, I could not but
come to the conclusion that very large
per cent on numerous occasions had pre-
ferred the former! = ----'
The Spanish officers have nothing to COM
plain of. Their salaries, though small, are
paid with comparative promptness, and
they are allowed to remain In the'vincinity
of the cities a greater portion of the time
or course, captains, and lieutenants are
kept in the field pretty regularly, but they
are not officers. except in the broad sense.
You are not much of anybody in the army
unless you can claim a title of major or col
onel In addition to this. you must have at
least half of your coat-front covered with
decorations and be able to discourse inn
promptu upon the never-fading glories of
Spain and the monarchy. At Puerto Prin-
cipe l saw about the hotels enough officers
to lead a million troops. Their sabers
clanked loudly and their voices were, even
more powerful in tone. 1t was easy for
me to see how the rebellion could be put
dowh II thonographs, instead of machetes.
were used. .l>''''- ''
The Spanish officer is not noted for his
personal bravery. The history Of America
tells US hat in days long gone by the
Spaniard was very daring individual He
crossed unknown seas, unknown to him at
least, and penetrated unexplored lands.
He crossed Cuba and entered Florida. His
bands travelled in the wilds drained by the
Mississippi, and even reached the Gulf of
California. He sought the interior of Mex
Andes. .r>
e< ~. Gold Was the Magnet. a..- ,..,,
But still closer study Of that his
tory tells us that it was gold that impelled
him onward. And we all know that in
those earlier days the natives were not
warlike In Cuba, for instance, the inhab-
itants were mild and peaceful people. and
ran away from the shores upon the ap-
proach of the foreigner. They had no arms
and knew nothing of war. But the Span
lard taught them. Years Of cruelty and
strife have instilled into the Cuban
braver heart and a thirst for right and
justice, and Spain is today reaping the har-
vest the seeds for which she has been SOW
ing for centuries.
AS a duelist the Spanish officer is fully
up to date. You must not speak angrily
to him, or forthwith he will hand you his
card and ask you to appoint a place Of
meeting. His honor has been deeply
wounded-more deeply by far than he ex-
poets his anatomy to be should you be
silly enough to accept his challenge. He
will fight you with pistols or swords, but
HiS6afn
suggest the machete.
Almost any Sunday morning, on the hills
just outside the city of Havana, you may
witness a duel or two, or, sometimes, a