The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-02-05

lines that OF the keystone state. It's
climate is that of California, its his
Ioric interest includes that of all
Europe and its scenery and natural
wealth are not exceeded In any like
area on the continent. Let an Amer
lean watch the Industrious agricul-
turists of southern Spain laying
stone lodges at intervals across steep
to gather even the small.
est plots Of alluTial soil; let him OBJ
servo thu bill tsrraoins; let him
pause on a Thursday morning before
the APOSTLES Gate at the Cathedral
IN Valencia and listen to the wise ar
bitrations Of the seven peasant
judges Of the ancient Tribunal of the
waters; let him look upon the almost
unbroken stretches of garden, or
chard and vineyard; and he cannot
but realize that in his own land ag-
ricultural developments are at but
the preliminary stage. And how
these southern Spaniards love their
homes. Though thousands of them
go annually to the Argentine, that
shrewd southern republic, they go in
the main but to harvest a crop, re-
turning homeward with wages stored
up.
In western and northern Spain
there are great grain fields and fiocks
and herds, and the Sierras are pro-
digal in mines OF iron, lead, copper,
zinc and silver.
But. the country Is just beginning
to learn of modern facilities. The
German and the Frenchman are bring
ing in capital, yet it is the English
man who is taking the cream. He be
gan long ago. Thus, last week at the
Alhambra palace a Spaniard was
telling me of the resources of Gran
ada. ut is rich even as your Cali
fornia," said he finally, "but we miss,
nevertheless, the Duke of yelling
tons annual three hundred thousand
pesetas.
"How's that?"
ITS this way After Arthur Wells
ley helped US drive Napoleon's forces
out of Spain, an estate In Granada
was granted him. He loved the AL
hambra. And now, Caramba, his
descendants take away annually the
great income"
Emulating the Iron Duke, English
have acquired concessions right and
left. Thus, the other day was over
Cordoba way, to look up the famous
battle field of Las Navas de Tolosa
where seven centuries ago the crusa-
der forces halted the Arab wave. The
former, by the way, were successful
through the ruse of Spanish soldier
who with his forlorn hope found con-
cealment by crouching behind herd
of lowing kline With a knighthood
he was granted the surname of Cab
eza de vaca, "Head of a Cow" One
of his descendants, wrecked of the
Florida coast some three centuries
later, led the first whites across the
Mississippi and through the present
country OF Texas, New Mexico and
Sonora. Descendants of the family,
indeed, now reside in California and
New Mexico. To return: in the
vicinity OF this battlefield there are
great lead mines operated by English
capital. With the mines in the midst
Of olive orchards. many Of the min
ers find provisions growing close at
hand. Moreover an arbor shack suf-
fees as a residence. Still, here the
English complain at the high run of
wages. quite rotten, don't you
know" said an operator, -four peset-
as per diem" Seventy two cents a
day. OF course, as further South
the child miners command but half
going wages.
Despite its natural wealth Spain is
too hampered for progress A gov
erning class lacking either in integ-
rity or in initiative or both; state
church to be supported; and under
foot an eneryating beggar class. And
how the latter can supplicate: MY
son." heard said the other day,
use English in your business negoti-
atoms. French for social intercourse;
Italian In your love making; but
your prayers to God couch In Span.
ish."
How these same suppliants dc
haunt the seats OF the mighty! BY
the portals of the Alhambra, the
charming Gardens Of the Queen al
the ,SAlcazar Palace. within the nigh
ty Court of Kings at the majestic Els
corral Palace; hard by each and all
may be heard the soft voices of the
mendicants. At Cadiz | looked Out
upon the curved harbor thinking Of
the silver fleets OF long ago and in
Seville | stared curiously at the
Guadalquivir-the Great River OF the
Arabs-recalling how the rich gal
Icons that once there anchored laden
with wealth from the Americas. On
each occasion beggar's voice
aroused me. But to the Spaniard all
is well. Thus veteran Lieutenant
since last weeks disaster at Melilla
the trains have been crowded with
soldiers-explained to me the affair
of '9S.
"Your people fought well, senior
Some OF those at Santiago we're mo-
perchance we'll disciplined. but they
knew how to use their heads" Ther
] after a pause, he added, 1T was {
good thing for Spain to give you The
!, Philippines"
To so satisfied people and to one
with such antiquity how can one ten
der adviceY They'll tell you tina
Marcus Aurellus and Trajan. Had
rian, Quintilian, Martial and hos
Of other mighty Romans were Span
lsh by birth. and as for their city o
Cadiz!-Well, Cadiz, or Gadir found
ed by the Phoenicians in 100 b. C,
was doing quite well, thank you
many years before those little RI
man kids, Romulus and Remus, hat
begun hotfootlng II about the Capl
tolino Hill after that good.nature'
old she-wolf.
But the shadows now are falling
tharato hranvo an1 Tho nnfofn