The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-26
YANKEE SPY N SPAIN
How Senior Fernandez Del
Campo Fooled Them All.
PLAYED MEXICAN ALLY
And Kept His Uncle Samuel
Admirably Posted.

| ilSht on the SpdAlSn-AneFlCdn war II
| ought 10 be interest ting and instructive 20
| Spanish as we'll as to English readers.
My description OF the hero is given from
! persona acquaintance.
About six or seven weeks ago arrived in
Madrid a wealthy Mexican gentleman.
| His speech, manner, and dress showed
him 20 belong to that class of wealthy and
aristocratis Spanish-American that travel
about Spain much in the luxurious style
OF English noblemen of the last century
in making the grand tour, i. e., accom-
panied by courtiers, hiring whole suits Of
rooms at hotels. sending presents to prime
done, spelling servants with fneif large
ness, and in short, throwing their money
broadcast An "Americano"-a Spanish
American-is looked upon in Spain much
in the same manner as a MILFORD" was
looked upon in France last century. Peo-
pie admire him for his wealth-real of ap-
parent-and at the same time loook upon
him as a pigeon to be plucked, and despise
him accordingly. Well, Senior Fernandez
del Campo las I shall call him) came to
Madrid just after the war broke out
and hired a suit of rooms on the first
HOOT III Iil6 ITSL MOTEL III the SpdUlSi Cdpl-
tai. He was soon a great favorite in
Spanish society, and was known, by repu-
tation at least, in every Madrid drawing
room. He was a man of about thirty
seven, good looking, a typical Spaniard,
with oval face. raven black hair, thick
black moustache, black sparkling eyes,
and firm chin and lips, showing character
and determination. The Mexican minis
ter to Madrid vowed that he had never
heard of Fernandez del Campo. But who
will believe the Mexican minister was ac-
quainted, at least by name, with one of
the largest landowners in the state of
Chihuahua and a friend of President
Porfirio Diaz? And on the part of diplo-
matist, is not silence the highest elo-
quence? Fernandez himself replied 20 illu-
sions on this subject that he had no fur
ther object than to write his impressions
to Spain in the Etoile Beige. But this
was little too thin. Fernandez replied
that he knew French as well as his native
language-a fact to which 1 can testify
he having spent three years as boy at
the Lycee Napoleon in Paris. But that
was no argument, because he spoke Ger
man equally well, and a London cores
pendent introduced to him at the Casino
found that he had learned English gra-
matically, and with little practice would
soon become proficient:
For the last fortnight rumors had been
af1oat in Madrid about a Mexican alliance
against the United States. 1 was in Mad
rid at the time, and I remember reading
several nice articles on the subject One
Of the hest w T think in "a Tpon nioI
The writer showed that such an alliance
would be useful to Spain and Mexico, but
chiefly to Mexico. It was just aos these
doctrines were ripening in the minds of
the Madrileons that ernandez del Camp
came among them. He did not stop long,
however, and after a few days he told
everybody that he would go to Cadiz,
where there was something to see. Every
body in Madrid was very sorry. States
men called on Senior Fernandez del Campo
with offers of introductions to the gov
ernor of Cadiz and the Admiral in COM
mand of the Reserve squadron. The
Mexican Confidential Envoy" (for even
that title was given 9lim) declined the in
Productions rather hautilyl. IF the Duke
de Najera," he remarked, land Admiral
Camara want TO see me. they know where
to find me; 1 shall be staying at the Hotel
de Paris" Fernandez del Campo became
the lion of Cadiz. The day after his ar
rival a major who sat next to him Cby
chance of course) at table de'hote asked
him whether ne would like to see the gov
ernor. ernandez said ne would be very
happy, and a few minutes later he was
comforting withe the Duke de Najera
You will find Cadz a dull place after
Madrid. l am afraid" remarked the Duke;
but we will do our best toshow you every
thing. By the way, you would like, of
course. to see Admiral Camara He told
me he would be happy to see you. You
habenolla crtted-cQ-as..tndstn atjThhkod
had better call on him tomorrow morn
ing" Some days after this, Admiral Cam
ara called in uniform a the Hotel de
Paris and asked Fernandez del Campo 10
dinner. MY dear Admiral" said Fer
nandez. Il think you had better DE my
guest this evening" Very Well" said
Admiral Camara. but only on condition
you dine with me this week. 1 will ask
some suitable company to meet you"
This conversation took place in the hall
of the Hotel de Paris, and was witnessed
~ Oil iASi4oil nc aF-A Nb4lCS ROAlNctlL
The latter subsequently met Fernandez in
the reading room, but the Mexican, like
a thorough gentleman, changed the con-
versation the moment it referred to mill
tary matters. Are you staying long in
Cadiz, Senior Fernandez" asked a naval
officer who sat beside the Mexican at Ad-
miral Camaras table. "A few days" was
the reply. Il should like 10 see your
squadron of. a few days" exclaimed
the officer, you mean a few weeks" We
cannot possibly be ready before month.
and you may take # that we will not sail
from Cadiz before six weeks" Don't
write that TO the Etoile Beige" called out
another officer. and the whole table laugh
ed at this joke at Fernandez's expense
He is no more a newspaper correspoa-
den, than I am" whispered a naval officer
who had just handed his card TO Fernan-
dez del Campo, with an invitation 70
honor the officers OF the Rapido by din
ing on board with them a few days hence.
"ernande.z remarked another, lis an
officer IN the Mexican army. and he may
soon be fighting n our camp against the
Americans. have heard al about 1t from
Madrid"
That night Fernandez challenged some
Of his new friends 10 play. and ne lost a
hundred duros With them az monte. Like
a true ca6aliero, however, he bore his de-
feat cheerfully- Ttrnis friends mentioned
their oSn day. he would entertain them
10 dinner and take a hand az cards with
rhen- He played ana lost again. and his
guests came 10 tlle conclusion TIA, Mex
lean. az least 81 cards, was 10 match FOR