New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-02
SPANS NAVY UNFRAMED.
SQUADRON PRACTICE TOO COSTLY
OBSERVATIONS OF MAJOR GIRAFD. L. 4. A.. WHO
HAS JUST RETURNED FROM MADRID-HE
THINKS REVOLUTION is I'M
MINFNT


THINKS REVOLUTION is I'M
MrNENT
Major A. G. Girard. L. s A.. who was sent ~
this Government delegate 10 the international
HYGIENE Congress Madrid. was passenger
or the French liner La Bourgcene. which arrived
here Yesterday from Havre. This congress lasted
from April 10 10 April L. Major Girard was the
representative OF the United States Army and
Medical Director j. Rufus Tryon Of the NAVY
They were the only Americans at the session DR..
Tryon IS still In Europe.
The Spanish Navy" said Major Girsrd. hasn't
a ghost Of a show. to speak. The testimony of
certain high French naval officials enlightened
greet deal upon that point. From all | could
hear the Spanish Navy Is in an inferior condition
It's main trouble is that fits men. from omcers
down do not know how fight in squadrons
Squadron manGuvres cost money. and Spain mas
had money enough for this purpose. ana
certainly has never devoted any funds TO IT. "hen
the American vessels were spending montns
in attaining high proficiency in squadron drills ana
gun practice the Spanish vessels were lying mildly
In harbors and their admrals and captains ana
other officers were driving in the streets Of Madrih
or dining in cafes Tho American vessels. IN squad
form easily beat the Spanish vessels IN ne
tail The Spanish sailors are brave enough. M,
the American Navy in infinitely better FORM
One French naval officer tod mo ho thought tho
American Navy vastly superior 10 the spanish
n all kinds OF fighting practice.
1T Is thought among cxcellenty posted naval
men that tho Spanish feet will 60 <traightway o
Cuban waters They know those waters. and Will
rot venture upon American waters The American
squadron would have great advantage In forcing
the fight rough wdters-out IN the heavy seas
Then the Spanish torpedo boats could not do any
effective work. In heavy they must be bat
tened down. and hence they would he useless But
II tho combat took place a smooth harbor they
would be able 10 do very deadly work
II expected hear II revolution In Spain
upon nv landing here went Major Girsrd.
when loft tho country the verge Of A
revolution I'm fact. the rcyoiutionsts did make
something of outbreak. but they were sup
pressed There in Madrid ten regiments
Of troops to pa, down possible revolution. That
might be done in Madrid bur should tho revolution
spread Owe: the provinces it could hardly put Il
down. The enlightened classes OF Spain, 50 far IS
! could gath"r from the best sources. want revo-
luton They want change They can't 40 any
business matters stand Which sort 81
government will come next IN Of r"voufonf
republic. | think. The Spanish even en-
rhrsastic for either tn Queen Regent Don
Carlos. who not Spanish. The army. Of course.
Is for the Queen because It's officers hod good. as
sured positions but tho army may not he aba .
maintain her throne. No. ] don't think the Span
ISL masses are prepared for republic. but q few
masl"rtul minds forcing II onward !. tho
ons and the prov T, o T Of Madrid II,
revolution. II seems. VIII com" when the news Ok
The masses in Spain greatly oon-
cernod over the holding Of cuba. n fact. all In
tell!g"nf persons seem recognize there that cuba
ia gone. But the spanish don't want 70 be forced
IN give II Up. They object 10 neng hulldozed. they
sag. The national honor Is everything 10 the Span
ish. and they have everlasting pride. The span:
ish actually think they can defeat tho United
states Al thai l. necessary. they believe. az
ru". is % have iheii feet steam over. lombard
Newly Boston and tho war vii ho endei
with a glorious victory Tor spanish arms
The body of The Spanish people Do not seem 10
have the slightest idea Of the enormous strength
and resources Of the United States They think
We have only lew soldiers and vessels and they
industrial. financial and fighting power between tho
/ TWO countries. Why. even in Paris saw SOL
emn statement in the 'Pair. q newspaper hostile
70 the United States. that the United States had
onll twenty-five" thousand militia and on" regiment
% cavalry.
The European nations do not relish the sight
or the tnited states trying to have something 20
say IN poitica matters. and their official classes
are hostile, accordingly TO the United States. Ths
rrencn holders ~ Spanish bonds. also. actively
influencing public sentiment. But II IS improbable
that any European nation Will venture upon active
support % Spain.
''Dr Tryon and we're very pleasantly treated IN
Spain; General Woodtrd sent word to us at !
! not II vas safe for as 10 remain In Madrid over
, night lett Madrid three days before General
WoodfOrd. Before eayins Madrid | took special
? rar" to observe the Spanish military The Spanish
over twentyhv wears old. The veterans have nearly
al been Killed OF Though personally brave. thu
spanish soldiers are cOrman led hy deficient off,
cers rh" Spanish haven't tho stability OF the
Angio-Saxor race 4 defeat easily throws them
into dsmay."
Major Girari teegraphed TO the War Department.
FOR orders. and then went 10 Englewood y J Tbs
Major IS veteran Of tho Civii War