The morning news., 1898-08-11
MAcIAs, SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.
Raised From the Ranks by Isabella
Because She Admired His Figure.

RAISED From the Ranks by Isabella
Because She Admired His Figure.
From the st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Washington.-The Porto Rico campaign
has brought to the surface of Spanish pol
ttics two men who have long been known
to possess extraordinary prestige influ-
ence and power in the Royalist party in
Spanish politics. These two are Captain
General Macias, in command of Porto
Rico, and the political governor, Gen
Munoz.
Away back in the sos a young soldier
enlisted in one OF Spain's Basque regl-
ments of remarkable physical pulchritlde
Six feet In stature, with fine dark eyes
he was the perfection of a good looking
youth, whose mental endowment was not
equal to his personal attractions. AS he
was trained in military exercises, well set
up by his drill, he soon became the talk
of the feminine part of Madrid, that is
of the middle and lower class women in
domestic service, who are walking indexes
of the talk and gossip of their mistresses
The Queen Isabella Segundo of SPAN
was a good deal like her antetype, Cath
arine Of Russia. in at least one respect
''She liked fine figure of a man" One
day it happened that the young Basque
recruit was among the detail drawn for
guard duty at the palace, The Queen saw
him. She distinguished him by speaking
to him. The honor so disconnected the
Basque recruit that ne forgot to present
arms at the proper time, and was conse-
quently told off for heavy punishment
drill, but it never came.
Two weeks thereafter The recruit, whose
name was Francisco Caesar Santa Ana
Macias, because of extraordinary capac-
ity"-so read the royal rescript-was ga
zetted to be lieutenant in the Cazadores
do 1.ff C,1sI ssf,er4
ments and most honorable in the service
of Spain.
who the devil is this fellow Macias?"
swore Capt Gen. Concha, the honorary
colonel of the CaxadOres de Biscaya," and
who recommended him for promotion|'
The old courtier to whom this was adj
dressed did not answer. He looked his
friend in the eyes and slowly winked.
There was more eloquence In the sign
than in dozen ora ations by Emilio Cas-
tellar.
In six months Macias was a fun colonel.
His merit was extraordinary her ma
jesty explained to Concha. Macias made
no enemies. He studied to improve him
self. He had masters in all branches Of
culture and became one Of the first schol
ars in the army and the first swordsman
of Madrid. He went up step by step, un-
ill he was captain general Of Madrid, the
youngest to hold the honor.
ne StOIy llIllATdAeu ii1tll AHLOuSu tne
society Of all the European courts. Of
fenbach, the composer, heard it. II de-
lighted his cynical soul He has embalm-
ed Macias for Immortality as Gen. Boum
in lie Grande Duchesse de Geralen."
the Grande Duchesse promotes BOum in
fifteen minutes from private soldier to
general. This opera made ORenbach's
fortune. All Europe recognized the char
acters az being very historical, indeed.
Capt Gen. Macias has The chief mill
tary command in Porto Rico. He has been
a good executive officer for man Of the
Spanish court His rule is charged with
no scandals. Capt Gen. Concha return
ed from Cuba after four years Of rule
with 2O.000O00 Spanish pesetas.
Munoz, the governor general, is the son
of a great house. As he is hlegitimate
he does not bear his fathers name. These
are the two personages whom Gen. Niles
viii have to fight with and treat with IL
he conquers Porto RicO