The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-23
GAY HVANESE DANCE
Those Not so Gay are Watch
ing the War Clouds.
SOLID MEN, ONCE LOYAL
Will Turn Against Spain in
Her Dire Extremity.

| poetry alike mistake there was "a sound
Of revelry' in Brussels on the eve OF
Waterloo. Paris. too. just before that
big ARRAY, was in a whiri of balls and
fetes. Havana is very gay today-strange-
" so, and far more strangely still. when
poverty Of its proletariat is considered.
OF course, the presence of the warships
| with their large complement of officers,
has much TO do with the festivities pre-
ya!ling. Then, too, there are centuries
| OF customs and scores Of proverbs similar
| 10 the familiar tomorrow, another day"
| These tend toward inducing a somewhat
| mercurial people TO forget the sad things,
while they may, in singing. dancing and
all the rest that goes 10 make up social
| rounds.
| But there are many serious ones who,
| if they join in the laugh, drop into other
moods than joyous when left alone You
| can see them frown at the absurd carica-
| lures of Uncle Sam and his minions with
which the comic papers of Madrid and
| Havana TEEN. You can see them sheer
| at the fleets OF formidable war vessels.
pictured in the magazines and illustrated
journals and labeled part of Spain's
great navy" You can near them laugh
sardonically at the foolish rantings of
boyish officers when they say, (as the
writer actually heard one say today:
We'll land our ormy at Key West, march
starlight inland to Washington and in a
week from landing, We'll capture McKin-
ley and all his ministry, unless they run
away"
As cabled recently Havana has at last
awakened TO what it's people regard az
the probability of a war with the United
States and the sober-minded are counting
the cost Some whom the government
assumed TO be the most extreme conserv-
atives are counting that cost with salts
faction. They are annexatonists now.
no matter what they were a year or less
ago, and in their number are editors, law
yers, bankers, merchants, manufacturers,
officials, even priests, though those of
that function cling more tenaciously to
the vested rights of royalty.
Deep is the interest felt in the attitude
of European powers in regard to inter
yention, and loud are the acclaims Of de-
light over published cablegrams purport-
ing to give words of aid and comfort from
the German emperor. French minister or
Italian deputy. But the liYeliest grow
grave at the mention Of a possible alli-
ance between Great Britain and the
United States and the anxiety manifested
by Senior Congosto to interview Mr.. Col |
lin, British representative here, and even
our General Lee and learn the truth or
FoI -T+
Wales has said a British feet would sup-
port the United States in putting an end I
TO the war in Cuba, was almost ludicreus. |
is was so openly expressed. 4r
OF course. all the above is from the I
point Of view of the looker-on in Havana 1
We know marvelously little here (Ingh !
government circles excepted of what is /
really going on in the great world of /
American and continental statecraft.
Through all the drubbling and the won |
dering, the beggars of Havana laugh.
dance, sing or groan as time or the occa-
sion serves. A merry lot, and careless
and fat withal and not unpicturesQle in
their scanty linen. darty calico, or home
made apparel Three years ago there
were more than 100 beggars, mostly
Z
and endured as a necessary evil. That
number has been greatly increased by the
troublous times and lack of work The
beggar boys and girls ply their trade on
all the most frequented streets, not only
with absolute freedom, but generally sure
of the courteous answer from Spaniard or
Cuban, I'm Gods name pardon me" This
courtesy, even in refusal. breeds impu-
dence past all belief. They cling to the
garments or run by carriages Of Ameri-
cans, who when newly come are an easy
prey. While some are repulsive-msde
more so by beggars arts-and nearly ali
are annoying. a few among the Children
are so pretty, naive and jolly that they 4
reap a copper, even a silver. harvest.
Take four-years-old Jesefa. who has be- ,
come mendicant in ordinary 20 the cor .
Her plump little figure. .
bronze skin, deep melting eyes and flow ,
ing head dres sof dingy silk are attract
I'VE in thei rway. but pale their Intellectual /.
fires before the jolly sunshine OF her smile. 4
and the conscious certainty 0t her de- d.
nand for una peseta" twenty eeu;sJ.
Another picture and q sadder. Several
lays ago your correspondent. walking on ,
Obispo street. near Vilesas. heard p low q.
ioRg from doorway, and looking within. !.
sav a little lad OF or 10. 70 whom Vas
.Inging a very atom OF baby as 70 size
and weight, though frcm Us eyes and face
, must have been Is months cd The Two ~
lad three garments among them, the
laby using one.
From It's socket recently, one az the .
,oy's eyes had been torn. ard the ghastly q
wound was innocent Of dress aE o. care.
Il accepted tie proaesrd coin WA q
mile ans a 'gratJls. senior" but whea an q
teTp.eter was secured, a15 We s5aFnt "a
. learn als history. he maintained long -
Inc resolve bora % fes-, cruelty and =
az experience L IS a7t necessary 90 r. .
eat as story. G.
lsyed sDsnE The canes ard beneath tie
aims q happy hone IL Ear Fasr-a =
'rinclps. played w1ia trofhers AID sisters 81
nd vas cared tor b mother ard p by ~
iuerrtllss came and vita rasra Geara. =
esti;utior. famine TIE lad Luis es- 81
sped With TIE loss y ~ sye ard saved a.
i baby sister With tas utle ore ri h-s a-
lp-the Load ErsE Agats- - food EreE r-
zrder 70 Sc zu1 scarCer-Lxz4s walEeE 81
2 these weary scores - !e@zzss &c Ez- 60
ana where ~ Eoped % ars a. azct. ~
-e f5una be, former bora ast ahe had 80
one 70 tas states 50 Las ard cts H;t5s -
aarks vent ct Into fhs clsT streets -
We OF rh4rce charity 0se vrula re, beg
% die ~ q 695rway - he 1rfe-s - HASH
IL cries = ~ nzhy 30 held TIE hoy n