The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-05
The Lessons of Santiago.

There are several things to be learned
from the operations at Santiago, and it is
better to learn them now. In the first place,
it L. O mistake to underrate the courage and
efficiency of an enemy. We have been in
cessantly told that the modern Spaniard
IL degenerate, and it is undoubtedly true
that, in respect of discipline, prestige and
esprit de corps, no Spanish regiments in our
day can be compared with the famous
tercios which, for about n hundred and
fifty years. from the time OF GoNsALvo
DE CoRDovA to the battle Of Rocroi,
caused the Spanish infantry to he re-
puted invincible in Europe. The fault
lies to-day, US it has lain for upward of
200 years, in the laxity and corruption
which pervade the upper and middle
ranks Of the military hierarchy, The
money appropriated for military INC
naval purposes is fraudulently stopped
in transit; it is not applied to the objects
for which it was designed; the soldiers
and seamen are ill-trained, ill-paid and
even insufiiciently fed.
There is no reason, however, to believe
that the raw material of armies furnished
by the peasants of G%alicia, of the Basque
provinces, the CASTLES, Aragon, and Estre-
madura, is inferior to that which composed
the fibre of the forces commanded by
GoNsALvo, by sPrNoLA, by CoRTEx and IzARHo.
Wretchedly led, ~inadequately supplied
with arms md ammunition, and almost
destitute of n commissariat, as they were
in the last Peninsular war, the Spanish
levies yet inflicted on the French at Baylen
the most ignominious defeat to which the
soldiers of NAPOLEON had ever been sub
jected; and their resistance atSaragossa re-
called the memorable defence of Numnntia
In Roman days. Such men, when they are
fighting for their native land, or for their
immemOrial conquests, are not to be de-
spised; it is unfair to our own troops to
disparaGe the desperate valor of their enc
mics. The brave soldiers under Gen.
bHAFTER met foemen worthy of their steel;
10 face such opponents is no child's
play; to overcome them is an honor, and
reflects credit on the American stock.
There is, it should be remembered in the
northern provinces of Spain n consider
able Rdmixture of Visigothio blood, and
1T comes out in the common soldier, when
driven TO the last ditch, as it came out
in his forefathcrs when, hunted into the
caves of Asturias, they turned at bay and
began their age-long contest against the
Moslem. Let us respect the Spanish com
mon soldier, for only thus shall we APP
O. p~reciate the brave American boys who
are worsting him.
1t is also manifest that, even as regards
the abilities of Spanish officers and artil.
lerists TO make the most of their defen-
aive opportunities, the conquest of Cuba
orPorto Rico is no holiday job for our army
Unquestionably, the immediate surround.
ings of Santiago afforded admirable facili,
ties for defence, but it is equally indis,
putable that these were well turned ia
account. Tn Spanish lines were skilfully
drawn the intrcnchments were well
planned, the gun were ably served
much OF the artillery seems to havC
been heavier Than that which we man
aged to bring into action, and the smoke
less powder used by the Spanish marks
men gave them an obvious advantage
II we win, we win, as the British did al
Bunker Hill, when, according to all tn,
rules OF war, they should have acLnowl