The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-05-09


the soldiers of the latter country are very
much the superior of those of the former
in Workmanship, in care Of guns and
equipment, in discipline and morale. 1t Is
not meant by this that the soldiers of
Spain are utterly worthless. Far from It,
The Spaniards are a fighting people, as
history shows, and our most conservative
military men agree that II the troops which
Spain now has in Cuba wSre led by able
men and by honest and courageous men
who knew how to train their men and get
the best out of them, they would put up
a severe fight against the United States as
soon as the occasion arises.
Cause OF spain's Decline.
But what is to be said of an army In
which there is such a vast gulf between
officers and privates that no emergency is
ever permitted to bridge it.; where the
commissioned officers take no interest
whatever in their men, their physical con-
dition or the state of their arms and equip
ment; where guns are allowed to become
rusty for lack of care; where the soldiers
are so little trained that in an engagement
half of them point their weapons In the
air. and it is believed many of them shut
their eyes before pulling tho trigger;
where organization of hospital corps, COM
missary trains, camp outfit, everything
pertaining to the qualifications of an army
excepting only those things which make
for the comfort of the officers is neglected
day after day and month after month?
What can be expected of an army that is
poorly fed and that has not been paid for
nine months?
1t has been suggested by members OF
the diplomatic corps who know Spanish
character that the secret of SPANS rapid
decline among the nations of the earth Is
found in this very fact. Neither her civil
nor her military affairs are administered
with the energy, honesty and skill which
characterize the public administrations of
America, of Great Britain, of Germany,
of France and Russia. The Spaniard as
a man of affairs Is successful only in a
private capacity when guarding his own.
He is failure in public service, and even
In corporate activity he is not a shining
light. Many of the largest corporations
in Spain arc of foreign organization, cap
ital, officers and managers. 1t has been
found that in order to secure honest and
effective administration of affairs 1t Is
necessary to employ Englishmen, Germans
or Frenchmen. This does not mean that
all Spaniards are dishonest or incapable,
but they have not the adaptability to or
ganiZation, fidelity and executive work
that characterize the Anglo Saxons.
am told that President Mckinley was
the happiest man in Washington when the
news came of the victory at Manila. or
course it Is no secret that the president
went into the war reluctantly and with
many misgivings. Once in 1t bis greatest
desire was to secure results that would
make for peace with the smallest possible
loss Of life on either side. When Admiral
Deweys fleet destroyed the enemy's ships
at Manila the president In common with
many other public men here concluded
great and not very costly step toward
peace had been taken.
Manila Made Mckinley Laugh.
ct was at the White House when the
news from Manila reached the president,
said one senator to me, "and on that COCA
sion, for the first time In several weeks,
heard hearty laugh from the presidents
lips. His face showed what q relief the
news was to him. Ever since the tidings
of the victory came he has been adifferent
man. suppose you know that for cou-
pie of weeks, while the crisis was at Its
height, Mr.. Mckinley was pretty nearly
worn out. He could not sleep, and ability
to sleep under the most trying circum-
6tdDCeS anu tDus W TcSuin oeAohSeh
, has always been his strong point. have
known him for many years, and can re-
| member q number OF occasions when he
would retire to bed W bile every one around
| him was wildly excited and In few min
| utes be fast asleep. have known him to
| curl up In the corner of q seat In an ordt-
nary railway coach, while bands OF music
and shouting crowds were making the
\ welkin ring, and go of to the land OF nod
| as II everything was calm and peaceful
around him. But this Spanish crisis, un
| I'll the die was cast and congress had taken
| Its final action, SO stirred the presidents
| that sleep did not come to his pillow. He
told me the other day that In the course
of some ~ hours he did not sleep five
hours, and that he was more nearly worn
out than he bad ever before been In all
his long career as public man and as a
campaigner."
The happy effect of the naval triumph
Mt Manila upon the president Is charac-
teristic Of the effect 1t has had upon al
most every one here in Washington. In
we'll informed circles the talk Is all to the
effect that Manila marks the beginning
of the end. With one more good victory
either on land or sea 1t Is believed Spain
will make overtures TO the powers OF Eu
rope for mediation which will afford heI
cover for a retreat. The prevailing I'm
preston In Washington IL that the wal
will be over In three months Mt the Ion
gest, and many think p few weeks will
bring the end of ID.
WALTER WHITMAN.