The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-12-25
WHY SPAIN WENT TO WAR
Took Drubbing in Order to Save
the Monarchy.
Kansas City starr

SPANS defeat by the United States in
1898 saved the Spanish kingdom. Spain
went into that war expecting TO be de-
feated. It was an alternative that had
TO be INST to preserve she monarchy at
home. and il called for a degree of hero
ism on the part OF the Spanish naval
officers, who faced almost certain death
at Santiago that is not generally appre-
cia ted in this country. 1t affords d theme
for one of the most romantic stories that
couIc come from N authors pen
The speaker was Philip G. Hanna Unit
ed States consul general for the northern
district of Mexico. who was a the Mid
land hotel yesterday.
When the SDauiSh-American war be gan
Mr. Hanna was the only official repre-
sentative of the United States in the
" est mona islands and the story of how
Inc United states government obtained
so much secret information of the move
me1;ts of the Spanish naval and military
forces Is told by Mr.. Hanna. The reports
from the secret service bureau. which
he established on the little rocky reef
c.--!SS- st. Thomas island. were the basis
of Americas most important strategic
movements. Mr.. Hanna had sources of
Information open to TO one else, and It
was while serving IN this. important capa-
city that ne formed his high estimation Of
the better class of Soaniards.
After the war. said Mr.. Hanna, 4
dined with three Spanish consuls in Porto
H-c@ Two of them had been sent to
watch me on St. Thomas island Another
named Tuedla. was the first Spanish con-
cu-2t-o-- and 1 was the last American
consul We were photographed and the
picture was labeled The First and the
Last became well acquainted with
these officials and from them learned
some of the inside history of the circum-
stances that Influenced the actions of the
Spanish ministry. They told me thar
If So--1 had called in the army and the
9eo2lI OF the country mad been brought
to realization OF defeat by the colonies.
after the expenditure of so much blood
ana treasure, there would have been an
uprising that would have oveTthrown the
monarchy Iney then said that Spain Sc
iected her great and good friend the
greater power on earth. to defeat her
SPAN let tae JOB out To America because
81 defeat by a superior mower c0rId he
sustained with some degree of honor.
AMERICAN naval officers, said Mr.
ttanna- had a true appreciation Of the
men against whom they fought They
knew OF the sacrifice made. But. in the
language OF Admiral SChlsy. il was our
BUSINESS 10 llck them and then like them
American naval officers through what
eVCr influence they were able to exert
had as much TO do as anyone else in prc-
venting the courtmartial of the Spanish
officers. who offered their lives on their
couEtrv.S altar.
Mr.. H2nna had been serving as. consul
IN Eenezuela. ana was transferred to
san Juan. Porto Rico in expectation of
trouble with Spain He had considera bic
experience with South American revoIu-
tons and renutat,On fer eniOving A
row On the opening of hostilitieS he was
about the last American TO leave san.
N.nElEn
lier. But he had already made his ar
TangementS for "a secret service system
and he established headquarters on ST
Thomas island. which was neutral terri
tory The methods By which he received
communications from the spanish island
We're unique lie bought a fish one day
from Porto Ricau fisherman for so
The fish had been trailed in the water
behind the fisherman boat In the
mouth of that FISH was little roll Of oil
cloth which contained small charts of the
Qualifications at several points on the
island OF Porto Rico Telegraphic orders
for merchandise to firms at St Thomas
frequently proved to be reports OF Span
ism movements Mr. Hanna was q man
much sought after by war correspond
ents. A delegation waited on him one day
and offered to mako him famous if ne
would nut them on the inside track of i'm
Dortant news we know you've soft
five aces one of them said. and you
know where the first big naval battle will
be fought
7 replied said Mr.. Hanna, that
would probably acquire u wide reputat ton
to my country. MV mouth was sealed
Mr.. Hanna took UaTt in the recent 20
htical campdlgn ana is on mis- way to his
post at Monterey Mexico HIS most diff
ficult task there is to protect the Ameri-
can railway emDloveeS who suffer much
from ancient Mexican laws
''When a man is killed in an accident in
Mexico" he said the men in charge OF
the train are arrested and thrown into
JAIL There Is no action against the cor
DoratioD to obtain damages for the vic
tins family. It keeps US busy interceding
in behalf of the unfortunate railway men
The Mexican officials. as rule are dis
DOSed to be friendly 70 the Americans
but this is an old law that must be
treaty. or induce the Mexican government
to change the law. There are four big
American railways in my district and
there are now about six operatives de
tanned pending trial