The times., 1898-08-06
MAcIAs THE MAGNIFICENT.
Old 1snbellOs Cavilier Servente
Formerly Basque Peasant.


The Porto Rico campaign has brought
to the surface two men who have been
long known to possess extraordinary
prestige, Influence and power in the roy
alist party in Spanish politics. These two
are Capt. Gen, Macias, in command OF
Porto Rico. and the political governor,
Gen. Munoz. Away back in the fifties
young soldier enlisted in one of Spain's
Basque regiments. He was of remarka-
BILE physical pulchfitude Six feet in stat
ure, with fine dark eyes, he was the per-
fection of good-looking youth, whose
mental endowment was not equal to mis-
personal attractions. As he was trained
IN military exercises. well set up by his
dr1ll. he soon became the talk of the fem
inine part Of Madrid, that is, of the mid
dle ana lover class women in domestic
service who are walking indexes of the
talk and gossip of their mistresses
The Queen Isabella Segundo of Spain
was good deal like her antelope, Cath
erine OF Russia. in at least one respect.
ohe liked a fine figure of a man." One
day 1t happened that the young Basque
recruit was among the detail drawn for
guard duty at the palace. The queen
ing to him. The honor so disconnected the
Basque recruit that he forgot to present
arms at the proper time and was conse-
quently toled off for heavy punishment
drill. But it never came
Two weeks thereafter the recruit. whose
name was Francisco Caeser Santa Ana
Macias, because of extraordinary ca
pacity, SO read the royal rescript-was
gazetted to be lieutenant in the Cazadores
Royal de Biscaya, one of the oldest regi-
ments and most honorable in the service
OF Spain. Who in the devil Is this fell
low Macias?" swore Capt. Gen. Concha.
the honorary colonel of the Cazadores de
Btscaya, and. who recommended him for
promotion?'
The old coulter TO whom this was ad
dressed did not answer. He looked his
friend in the eyes and slowly winked.
There was more eloquence in the sign
than in a dozen orations by Emilio Cas-
,ellar.
In six months Macias was full colonel
HIS merit was extraordinary, her maj
esty 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 swords
man in Madrid. He went up step by step.
the youngest who ever held the honor
The story infltrated itself through the
society of all the European courts. Of
fenbach, the composer. heard II. 1t de-
lighted his cynical soul. He has embalm-
ed Macias for Immortality as Gen Boum
In lie Grande Duchess de Gerolstein."
Ihe Grande Duchess promotes Boum in
hfteen minutes from private soldier to
general. This opera made OfTenbach's
fortune. All Europe recognized the char
acter as being very historical indeed.
captain General Macias has The chief
military command in Porto Rico. He
has been good executive officer for a
man OF the Spanish court His rule is
charged with no scandals. Captain Cen
erai Concha returned from Cuba after
-FOUR years OF rule with 2900).0o0 Spanish
pesetas. MunoZ, the governor general. is
the son of great house. and he is fllo-
giuma,e. He does not bear mis- fathers
name. These are two personages whom
Cen Miles will have to fight with and
treat with if he conquers Porto Rico.