The times., 1898-05-03
THE SPANISH NAVY.
Its Officers and Men Are Not In
Fighting Form

New York. May 2--Spain's navy IS not
even as good as it looks, and it doesnl
look very we'll II doesn't know how to
tight in squadrons. and squadron fight
ing viii be the test. 1t can't fight in squad
rons because squadron practice and ma
neuvering costs money in times Of peaes
as well as in war times. Spain had nd
money TO spend in this way when shs
had no war on hand.
This is part Of the summing up of Major
a u. Girard L. s A. who arrive here
from Europe on the French liner Bur-
gogne yesterday. He was sent by this
Government as d delegate TO the Interna-
tional Hygienie Congress at Madrid. Tha
congress lasted from April 10 10 April II.
Major GiFard was the representative OF
the American Army.
Continuing, the major said: "The testi-
mony Of certain high French naval off,
eials enlightened me a great deal upon
these points.
While the American war vessels were
spending months in attaining high prof.
cheney in squadron drills and gun prac-
tice the Spanish vessels were living in
Spanish harOOrs and their admiraIs and
captains and other officers were driving
IN the streets Of Madrid or idling in the
cafes.
Sea lighting is much like any other
kind of lighting. Other things being equal
the balance depends upon the form OF the
combatants. Spanish men-o'-war's men
may be brave enough. but the American
memo wars men are IN Infinitely better
form These are the opinions of several
French naval officers with whom l talk
ed
''Well-posted naval men abroad believe
the Spanish fleet will go straight 70 Gu
ban waters The Spaniards know those
waters, and viii not venture a battle in
American waters which they do not
know.
In the opinion of the disinterested for
eisners il would be greatly TO the advant-
age OF the Americans to force the fight
ing out on the heavy seas There their
opponents would be no match for them.
y large part of their strength is in their
torpedo boats and these would be inefect-
i've in rough water. If the contest takes
place in smooth harbor the Spaniards
will be able to do deadly work.
i expected to hear of a revolution in
Spain upon landing here" Major Girard
went on. Il thought the country was on
the verge of it. In fact, the revoIutionists
ala make something of an outbreak but
they were suppressed There are now in
cavalry 10 prevent an uprising 1t might
be put down in Madrid but should the
movement spread over the provinces the
government would have the weak side
1t seemed to me that the enlightened
classes OF Spain are encouraging rebeI-
lion.
The Spanish are not over enthusiasts
for either the Queen Regent or Don Car
los. who are not Spaniards. 7 think a ~
public will, therefore. have to come If a
revolution breaks out, and that seems
certain to follow the news of any crush-
ing blow to the Spanish arms.
The masses in Spain are not so greatly
concerned over the holding of Cuba. In
fact. all intelligent ones among them
seem to recognize that Cuba is gone. II
is only their Evolutionary pride that
makes them willing to fight about IT, All
Spaniards seem to think that the atti-
tude of America is only an attempt To
bulldoze them out of Cuba. Besides. these
people actually think they can defeat the
United States. All that is necessary. in
their judgment, is to have their feet
steam over. board New York or Boston,
and the war will be ended gloriousIy for
Spain.
The people have a Iudicrous idea OF
the strength and resources of this cOun-
try. Why. even in Paris 1 saw a solemn
statement in the Patri-a newspaper hos
tile to the United StateS-that the United
States Army was composed of . 900 mill
tia and one regiment of cavalry
From quite reliable information I re-
ceived there are now $1,000 regular Span
ish troops in Cuba and S6.O00 volunteers.
About every other woman you see in the
provinces of Spain is in mourning for
the loss of soldier relatives killed In Cuba
The soldiers you see in Spain are puny
and young. The veterans have been
killed Off
Major GiraId is a veteran Of the civil
war He went TO EngIewood. ". J.. last
night.