New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29
SENT OFF TO CUBA.
SPANISH RECRUITS MARCHED OFF WlTb
OUT HEART-SAD SCENES IN SEVILLE

OUT HEART-SAD SCENES IN SEVILLE
From To-Day
The great tragedy Of the war in Cuba and thu
quarrel between America and Spain has an IN
terest for all people, but It has particular CLAIM
upon me- because. in the days when the wal
was still young. and the hopes OF its speedy
ending were very strong. | paid long Visit q
the South Of Spain. There had the point OF
view of the people themselves and in all truth
can say that the lower classes did not seem
to very much about Cuba, though they ola
care about the war. OF Havana they knew littd
or nothing, but their sons were being taken
from them to feed the fever and the cannon,
and this account the hearts OF the people
were aching. 1t was very fine to talk about
glory in the cafes Of the towns and the ventaa
by the country ie. 1t was altogether different
to be called away from home and leave parents
sisters and swcethearts for a marshy distrlcI
where the fever came and struck down men by
scores where food was scarce and lodgings
were scarcer, where the foes were not 10 be mel
in the open. but came stealthily and IN smaiI
parties, to fight, to kill. and disappear into the
silence Of the hills where men who do not KNOW
the country could not follow. Let there be nd
mistake the greater part of the men who went
out to Cuba well knew that their chance Of com
ing back was very remote. They had to givd
up the happy, idle life so full of wine, women
and song. and go and fight people who were
patriots striving for freedom. ard 1t IS not to
he wondered that they went without much heart,
although they marched erect along the plazas
to the sound of the Spanish national anthem.
and did not complain at being called from ZIG
to death. My notebook records many sad scenes
of which | spectator in 1871 ana 1910,
they are written even more indelibly on my
memory.
From these many sad scenes recall but one
was in Seville, where one rises early because
after II o'clock come the hours OF fire, when
a man who faces the sun risks stroke. IL
could not have been later than a. m. on
splendid day in June. but | was out. strolna
along the Plaza de San Fernando. and thinking
how good ii " rs 10 be alive. and that II para
disc were half as fine AZ Seville would be con.
tent to be very good indeed IN order 10 deservs
"A place there. On sudden ] noticed that tne
square was filling very rapidly, for the most part
with old people that the women were crying,
that the men looked very sad. Then hearo
distant music: IL became distinct, and tramp
Of many feet came nearer and nearer until
large company OF young recruits, preceded by q
rrass band entered the square IN marching
order The women dried their eyes, there WaS
some attempt at enthusiasm, but II was not
very great success. From the seat on Whlcn 1
stood caught good view OF the recruits,
They were n nice healthy lot OF boys none "
them apparently. much out Of their teens, Soma
few no; very long in them. one or two "f tne
very youngest seemed 10 b" rather SAD. Th'y helo
themselves hrayely and looked eagerly INTO the
crowd for familiar faces. and At the waving
handkerchcfs. as though to catch last iohs
gliups. at some beloved face. There was no
cowarlicc: i'm fart. they were fine. brave Sc.
of boys perfectly prepared 10 do and 70 dle put
th,. saLn.ss Of Inc scene was something To re-
member always They were not III the Siuh
three minutes. and then had all passed on tnelI
Iyuy the station. from when tncE "ould 'ahu
train 10 cadZ where the transport -shIpS Wero
waiting TO take them t. the death without glory
that awaited them in Cuba
I dd not know their destination AT the t'Hss
and SO | was startled by the GRIEF OF the crown:
| turned to one ola woman who had Ieniheu
when nearly all the rest had lcft. ana Salu .1
her: "Scnora. where are the soldiers soltt
For answer she raised her hands upward
heaven. Senior" she replied and then the truth
OF the matter flashed across me, ana uhuer-
stood the reason ~ the band. the big crowd or
disconsolatc people and the direction IN "hicn
the troops had gone. During the next two days
one or two more attachments passed through
tn. town amid scenes similar 10 the one nave
ATTEMPTED to describe. the "Imparcial' ana tho
"IIcrado' were publishing bad news from the
seat - war. and n feeling Of deep depression
settled on the old city. The theatres did NOT 90
we'll business was bad men sat together IN the
cafes blinking at the binding sun that almost
burned them through the awnings. and all talked
Of war. The old peaceful mood, the serenity
that nothing could rut!le. seemed for the tme
10 have left the gay and careless Andalusian.
But the change was not for long. Two or three
DAYS after the last squad had marched through
the town the bill posters made their appearance
with the trlumphs OF color printing for which
Spain is famous and placarded all the walls
with splendid posters announcing the great pull
fight for the Sunday week. Guerrita himself.
the greatest matador of Spain. aided by Bonn
bita the most reckless and handsome OF tore
ros was to Kill. and straightway Seville forgot
TO think OF Cuba and OF events and prepared
itself with endless discussion for the great day.