The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-05

heart for lack Of commerce. But, though
poor, Cadiz is clean, statement one
cannot make of many other cities of
Spain. 1t is walled city, with sea
walls and miles of for publications., which
afford delightful promenades. It's COM
manding situation ON hook Of land,
with magnificent bay behind it, COM
pletely landlocked and separated from
the interior country by rivers and
marshes, early attracted the attention
of those bold sea rovers, the PhGnicians.
They landed here and began the founda-
lions of city about 5000 years age
and were driven out by the Romans
1000 years later.
Coming down 60 times comparatively
modern, we find Columbus fitting out
here for his second voyage III 1903. With
his fleet of II ships and caravels he
sailed so proudly for the West Indies,
only to return seven years later pris-
onor i'll irons. He was not the first VIC
tim of Spanish ingratitude or the last,
and, though King Ferdinand command
cd that his chains should be removed
and that he should be received ut court
with high honors, yet the iron had sunk
into his soul, and he never recovered
from this indignity.
| found Cadiz III furry Of prepara-
ton for the last struggle i'll Cuba Tor
the retention of those islands which Co
lumbus discovered for the Spanish
crown 400 years ago Only Cuba and
Puerto Rico now remain to Spain Of all
the possessions she oGce controlled in
the new world, which included all the
West Indies and Central and South
America. All now are gone, and it is
the fear that they stall lose their grip
on these remaining isles and be Obliged
to sever forever their connection with
the hemisphere their sailors brought TO
the knowledge of Europe that makes
them so desperate.
was here eight years ago aud found
warm welcome everywhere, but on this
trip have been regarded with suspicion
and oven some hatred. The Spaniards
are, as u rule, kind hearted and pleasant
to meet as you find them in the clubs,
hotels and plazas. Although none of
them would invite you TO his house and
make you acquainted with his wife and
family, still that is the result Of racial
custom and not Of individual reserve.
With all their pride they are amiable,
and with all their haughtincss they are
extremely poor. This city of Cadiz is
typical OF all Spain, with perhaps the
exception of Barcelona, ana it reminds
me of stranded hulk, its bones bleach
ing on IL coral reef, a forlCrn wreck Of
what was once a mighty ship, hopeless
ly cast away through tho ignorance or
wiclledncss Of its pilots AS the only
seaport of Importance on this coast OF
Spain in the days when this kingdom
held vast possessions in America, Cadiz
was rich and prosperous. But now the
main support of the port is the General
Transatlantic company, with its steam.
ers for the West Indies, which has its
docks aud works here and gives employ
meut 20 Il large proportion of its inhab-
itants.
Barring The slight tokens Of suspicion
Of which 1 have spoken, there is moth
ing here TO mar the pleasure of stay.
And whatever may be the sentiments
OF the male portion of the population
there is certainly no hostility manifested
among the ladies. Within the restricted
circle of their opportunities they will
welcome the American visitor with out
stretched arms, for the same conditions