Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-07-29
a STREAK OF VANITY.
Why the Kodak Is Worth More Than
Passports I'm Cuba.


Passport In Cuba.
One of the regulations of the Span
sh army forbids the taking of photo
graphs without permit. For shot at
Ii fertilization with the camera the
penalty is especially severe. Neverthe-
ess, it is the universal testimony of
American newspaper correspondents
that while travelling in Cuba camera
Is better protection than passport.
This is because no nationality is fondeg
I>f posing in uniform before the lens.
The Spaniard, officer or soldier, never
misses chance to be taken" Permis-
lion to photograph fort will be re-
fused with very positive shake of the
head, but request to be allowed to
imap the garrison drawn up with the
Tort as a background is always met
With smiling acceptance. A captain or
lieutenant will turn out his command
ind put it in any position suggested if
he learns that picture is wanted. If
L suspect or real insurgent is brought
INTO camp the detachment which has
made the capture will enter heartily
nto a plan to pose in way to repro
| luce the scene of their efficiency. The
orisonres will be brought out and made
.er in charge of them take positions.
On one occasion the whole scene was
reproduced in such realistic manner
that the poor prisoner clapped his
hands upon his eyes and for a few mo-
nents underwent all of the mental tor.
ture of an execution.
| The guards on an armored car will
climb on top of their travelling fort and
| ~,
gestion of a desire for a picture. They
will do it with alacrity and manifesto
ion of good feeling, as if compliment
had been paid them. The fact that he
may never see the picture and that it is
going where no one will recognize him
seems to make no difference to the
Spanish officer or soldier. If FL Ameri
cano wants the picture enough to ask
for it he is willing to accommodate.
The more realistic of war the posing can
% made the more heartily the Spaniard
enters into the proposition. For him
he camera mas a fascination. Rank
cuts no figure. Colonies as well as cor
)orals are susceptible.
Only once in such journeying did the
little black box fail as a friend maker
with the Spanish troops. That was dur
ing visit to camp of reconcentrados.
Views of naked and ragged children, of
crowded huts. of concentrated misery
in general had been taken, without any
attempt at concealment. The mother
Of a pair of twins had just persuaded
the cherubs to face the camera when
he officer of the day, serious-faced
captain, appeared and looked upon the
smiling group of reconcentrados with
evident disapprobation. He wanted 10
know if a permit had been obtained
from the communicate.
When he learned that the formality
had been overlooked he said it would
De necessary to go at once to the head
quarters. With a score of boys follow
ing and the guide looking frightened,
the line of march upon the comman-
dante was taken up. What might have
happened had that official been awake
will never be known. 1t was the siesta
hour. The officer of the day could not
think of arousing his superior. He
seemed a little in doubt how to pro-
coed and accepted an invitation to GO
! to the hotel with such promptness that
1t was evidently relief to strained
situation. At the hotel the officer of the
day was made as comfortable as cir
cumstances would permit. His taste
was consulted as to the proper manner
to exchange international courtesics,
and when he went away it was with the
observation that a later hour would do
very well for the call upon the COM
mandante. The next time the officer
Saw the commandante he found that
;, his prisoners on parole had preceded
him. Some letters had been shown and
|. good relations had been established.
] ''They were taking pictures of the
camp" said the officer, indicating the
: American and his companion.
! ''They have Ietters;- they are all
, right" the commandante replied. With
5 that the incident closed, although the
look. which came over the face of the
officer of the day did not indicate com
plete resignation. ST. Louis Globe.
Democrat.