Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-18
THEY LIKE THEIR LIFE.
The Spanish Prisoners Are Pleased With
Their Treatment.

The Spanish prisoners at Annapolis
have been treated with uniform courtesy
says an Annapolis correspondent. You
ought to be proud of your country, "
said a Spanish officer to one Of our
local officials, because you have such
good people" The captives seem to
think they cannot speak too highly OF
picturesque America" as they call it.
One of them, roaming about this quaint
Old town, said:
~ do not know l am prisoner,
except [ cannot 90 home" Admiral
Cerveya has favored large number OF
persons with his autograph, especially
the children of American naval officers.
One miss asked him for his autograph,
which he gave, and then handed ber
his pencil, which she now values highly.
Capt. Eulate's autograph has also been
obtained by few persons. Some OF
the Spanish officers have taken to the
wheel. and at times may he seen riding
around the academy grounds. Spanish
officers are teaching naval academy
children Spanish, In return for which
the children are giving them lessons IN
English.
Capt. Eulate is always a prominent
figure, pacing up and down the walk.
around him whenever he sits in the
grove near the Herndon monument.
He has little companionship with his
W-OtficerS, at least so far as his out
door life is concerned. His wounds are
still sore, and whenever a friendly hand
is laid accidentily on his back he jerks
convulsively with the pain it gives him.
Officers wives are allowed to enter the
naval academy at will, but the children
are required to have a grown person
with them.
The Spanish officers have now become
so familiar with the residents of Annap-
oils that they attract no more than a
passing glance. Some look SO much
like Americans that they can hardly be
told from them. Whenever they come
into town they usually bring one of
their number to talk English for the
rest in making purchases. Admiral
Cervera has made many purchases and
has become SO well acquainted that he
habitually speaks to several residents
by name. One day he spent an hour
In store reading newspaper. None
Of the Spanish officers visit the state
house ibis is unusual, for strangers
usually are interested in building so
Intimately connected with the history
of the father Of his country. One
Spanish officer, however, likes ouI
country SO well that be has expressed
his intention never to return to hls own
The Spanish gold pieces are accepted
by the shopkeepers as readily us II they
were American coin. The prisoners
continue to talk of the fight off Santiago.
They say the American missiles came
like hail" The Spanish sailors
quartered on the Santee with the
American sailors hobnob with them as
cordially as if they were comrades in
arms.
The Spaniards are splendid mimics
They fairly talk with their hands.
When one cannot understand their
words their gestures are so emphatic
as to carry much of their meaning.
The seaman posses this faculty as much
as the educated officers. One Of the
sailors was explaining the difference
between "Spanish gunners" he said,
"do this way" then made as if 10 fire
without aim, puff" American
gunners do this way" he continued.
He then took deliberate aim, struck
himself in the forehead, threw up his
arms and fell back as if dead.
The sailors, being servants of the Off
GERS, 90 out only with them, except
Win Speclal PERMISSION. Inc ouICefS
seem to be getting merry. Two this
morning were heard singing softly in
English in the street, after the Ball, J"
third whistling an accompaniment.
The hardest test of Spanish politeness
comes at the raising of a flag to the
masthead of the academy staff at
'morning colors." Those Of the Span
ish officers who happen to be present
at the ceremony never fail to stand at
attention and salute the flag