Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29
SPANISH METHODS OF WARFARE.
some Historical Instances of Thsfs
Cruelty and Treachsry.

Cruelty and Treachsry.
In view OF the article in yesterdays
Dispatch. headed Geographical itera-
ture." permit me to name two works
which may be perused with advantage BY
soldier or citizen:
1. Twenty Years in the Philippines.
translated from the French OF Paul p. de
Ia Gironiere, chevalier OF the Order OF
the Legion Of Honor. New York. 1854"
2. 1.-THE Most Striking Events OF
Twelve Months Campaign in Navarro
and the Basque Provinces. BY O. X.
Henningsen. captain OF Lancers Ia the
service OF Don Carlos. In two volumes.
London. 1896"
Gironiere's work, though Frenchy. Is
in the main fascinating. Ii should have
been entitled Twenty Years In Ma
nilla" Che spells the island capital with
two Ps) land its suburbs"-since the au-
thor never explored but enc az the l.3uo
islands which are said by him TO form
the group OF the Philippines. The work
of Henningssn is replete with pea Pic
lures or hasty sketches OF risings. march
es, battles. sieges. etc. Though 10 me
sad reading. 1t may be to others delight
full.
AS the Spaniards of to-day are pretty
day, 1t may be pertinent TO inquire
Should Cuba be invaded by our army
what reception will 1t meet with from
the Dons?
VIII Spain adhere TO the rule OF neither
giving nor accepting quarter from an
enemy? viii she instruct her military
chiefs In Cuba 10 take no prisoners and
TO make no cartels? In the light or pre-
cedents her answer will be ayel The war
fare practiced by Spain against her own
flesh and blood--the Carlist war OF 1884
SO, as narrated by Henningsen-would
seem to be that particular species from
which the Spanish race, whether in Eu-
rope or America, has rarely deviated.
A few instances may be cited OF thou
sands well authenticated to show that
the Spaniard, with all his lofty notions.
Is the most treacherous, unrelenting. and
barbarous foe within the broad limits OF
the Christian world.
Let him who thinks this assertion I'M
founded read and ponder the narratives
OF credible eyewitness like Henningsen.
who are appalled,. IL would seem.
by their own recitals of the horrors OF
the Spanish warfare.
Zumalacanequi, the Carlist chief. the
greatest Spanish captain OF modern times,
and humane. withall. had initiat-
ed merciful measures, In order 10
mitigate the Chrlstinos-the Queens
troops-into compassion. He sent word
by flag of truce-a dangerous experiment
in Spain-that he would exchange man
for man Christine prisoners in his
charge for a like number OF carlis;s.
held by one Rodil, the commandant or
Christine post.
What was Rodils reply: Tell Zumala-
canequi that all the Carltst rebels Will
be shot instanter.
on another occasion, certain Christine
prisoners being released and sent under
escort to the enemys garrison were duly
received and protected, whilst the said
escort was dungeoned and Its officer
butchered Immediately.
Is It not natural that the Carlist chief
should have returned barbarity for bar
barity with a refinement of cruelty that
shocks the moral sense even in the tell
ing?
Subsequently,, Zumalacanequi having
taken a large number OF Christmas pri-
soners. had them buried alive-thetr heads
only appearing above ground-and exc
cuted by a merciless charge OF his cav
airy!
General Henningson, who once resided
in Richmond, related this incident 10 me.
II is not set down in his book--probably
because ne lcdTS4 ~ WOhtN bo~o 1890
OF the lnsincerIty OF the Spanish char.
acter this instance is given: A Carlist OF
the name of Valdis being hotly pursued
I'm a disastrous retreat OF cavalry, was
recognized by a whilom friend OF the
chrIstinos. who cried out 10 him, Hay
quartet por listed, valdes"-there is quar-
ter for you, Vaides. The Cariist. well
knowing the meaning OF the false cry.
stopped short. turned quietly about race.
and dwelling his carblne. shot his pur-
suer dead! In the light OF suon awful pre-
cedents il Is fearful 10 think what re-
spons!bflity will rest on Miles or Lee II
either come TO blows with blanev or
Pando.
Should one or the other. by way OF
bloody reprisal for Spanish atrocity. ram
homo a Spanish gresser and shoot him
from a big gun heavonward. what an out
cry will be raised by the humane In
every capital OF the Old and the New
world. c. NJ w.