The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-10
| MAcIAs. SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.
Raised From Ranks by Isabella Be-
cause She Admired Ills Figure.

The Porto Rico campaign has brought
to the surface of Spanish politics two
men who have long been known 10 pos
sess extraordinary prestige influence
and power In the Royalist party In
Spanish politics. These two are Captain
General Macias. in command OF Porto
Rico, and the political governor, Gen.
I Munoz. t.
Away back in the SOS young soldier
enlisted in one of SPANS Basque regi-
| ments of remarkable physical pulch-
| tftude. Six feet I'm stature, with fine dark
| eyes. he was the perfection of good
looking youth, whose mental endow-
ment was not equal TO his personal at
fractions. AS he was trained I'm military
exercises, well set up by his drill, he
soon became the talk OF the feminine
part OF Madrid. that is. of the middle
and lower class women in domestic SER
vice, who are walking indexes OF the
talk and gossip of their mistresses.
The Queen, Isabella Segundo of Spain,
was good deal like her antelope. Cath
arine OF Russia, In at least one respect.
'She liked fine figure of a man" One
day IL happened that the young Basque
recruit was among the detail drawn for
guard duty at the palace. The Queen
saw him. She distinguished him by
speaking to him. The honor so discon-
certed the Basque recruit that he for
got TO present arms at the proper time,
and was consequently told off for heavy
punishment drill But 1t never came.
Two weeks thereafter the recruit,
whose name was Francisco Caesar
Santa Ana Marcias, because of extra
ordinary capacity"-so read the royal
rescript--was gazetted to be Lieuten-
ant in the Cazadores Royal de Biscaya.
,one of the oldest regiments and most
honorable in the service of Spain.
Who the devil is this fellow Mar
CLASP" swore Captain General Concha,
the honorary Colonel of the cazadores
de Biscaya, "and who recommended
him for promotion?" The old courtier
to whom this was addressed did not
answer He looked his friend In the
eyes and slowly winked. There was
more eloquepce In the sign than In a
dozen orations by Emilio CASTELAR,.
In six months Macias was full coll
onel. His merit was extraordinary
her Majesty explained to Concha. Ma
cias made no enemies. He studied to
improve himself. He had masters in all
branches of culture and became one OF
the first scholars In the army and the
first swordman of Madrid. He went up
step by step, until he was Captain Cen
eral of Madrid, the youngest to hold
the honor.
The story infltrated itself through
the society of all the European courts.
Offenbach the composer, heard it. 1t
delighted his cynical soul. He has en-
balmed Macias for Immortality as Gen.
Boum in lie Grande Duchesse de Ger
alein." The Grande Duchesse promotes
Boum In fifteen minutes from private
soldier to General. This opera made
Offcnbacb's fortune. Al Europe rec
ognized the characters as being very
historical. indeed.
Captain General Macias has the chief |
command in Porto Rico. He
has been good executive officer for
man OF the Spanish court. His rule is |
with no scandals. Captain-Gen |
eral Concha returned from Cuba after |
four years of rule with 10000, 900 Span |
sh pesetas.
Munoz, the Governor General, is the |
son OF great house. As he is illegiti- |
mate. he does not bear his fathers name |
These are the two personages whom |
Gen. Miles Will have to fight with and |
treat with IL he conquers Porto Rico |
ST. Louis Globe Democrat.