The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

for distinguished public services. But they
do these things differently in Spain. Here
pensions are given for all sorts of services
or for none. The most trifiiing claim is
recognized by the government. 1t may be
very, very small but no matter for that,
it is fixed; and so long as it secures the
recipient from absolute want, 1t is enough.
From that moment he will set up as
gentleman and not do another stroke of
work to the end of his days.
Thus it is that the pension roll of Spain
has become so great. Every new admin
istration that comes in has fresh army
of favOrites to be rewarded for devotion
to their political leaders and the number
grows larger and larger from year to
year. All this is a burden which the state
has to carry, and as it takes the labor of
two able-boded men to support a third
idle one the drain upon its resources is
enormous
But what cares the happy pensioner?
For him Efe's woes are ended and his
joys are just begun Every day he will
spend his morning at the cafe where he
will take his drive Except Sundays, when
twirl his cigarette; in the afternoon he
will take his drive except Sundays. when
he will go to the bull ring); and the even
ing he Will spend at the theater or the
opera.
and even current in a perpetual round of
amusement, who can wonder that the
Spaniard is perfectly satisfied with him
self and his country? Why should he not
be? Is not his country the greatest in the
/ world? 1t has been said that even in
telligent Spaniards cherish the belief that
it is still the power in Europe Ten years
ago there was some fear of trouble be-
tween Spain and Germany about the Car
oline Islands in the Pacific, and for a
week or two the talk in the cafes of Mad
rid was of war, and not a doubt was eX-
pressed that if it came to blows Ger
many would soon find out what a for
midable enemy she would have to deal
with. Happily she was forewarned that
discretion was the better part of valor
and withdrew her pretensions.
Henry NJ. Field, ID. D., probably one of
the best informed men on Spanish affairs
of this country, wrote an account of his
interview in 1858, with the Duke of Vera
qua, the lineal descendant of Christopher
Columbus. In the course of this he says:
The mention of Havana led us to speak of
Cuba, subject on which every Spaniard is sensi
tive, and to which the present Columbus cings
with Spanish pride the last and greatest pos
session which Spain holds in that far-distant land
which his forctather was the first to see. He
said that Spain would never give up Cuba; that
I no power could take it from her and no money
could buy il; that she would hold it if it took
her last dollar and her last drop of blood.
Mr.. Field says that in conversation with
a Spanish gentleman familiar with for
eign lteratureS, the latter did not hest
tate to say that he looked upon them all
as only so many pale infections of the
far more splendid literature of Spaini
Another Spanish gentleman who had
made visit to France, could not retain
his joy at returning, and said with an air
of one who smiled approvngly on ris-
ing young city that Paris was very we'll
but'-with emphasis-'it was not Ma
drid!"
This is delicious; dreams like these it is
cruel to dispel. Doubtless this Spanish
gentleman, judging from his views re-
garding Paris. would consider New York
and Washington as very clever limitations
of the real Spanish article. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that Uncle Sam and Don Quix-
ote are not at present on speaking terms
and from all appearances this Spanish
cavalier is likely to have a rude awaken
ing TO the real power of Il state Outside
of Spain. Her motto may even take on
more literal meaning, for were Span
iards to proclaim war in their pi esent
financial condition ii would undouht .d!y
result in absolute bankruptcy Truly
then. would be the proverb. when YOU
have said Spain you have said all"
FORSTER II. jennings