New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-20
browsing ON
EUROPE'S EDGE
What Might Happen to
Spain If She Should
Suddenly Wake Up.
Especial Correspondence
Barcelona, Spain, July Q.


Spain, with an area three times
more than that of England-its great
est breadth and length are $50 and
$40 miles respectively-ofers variety
of climate that no other country in
Europe can equal, many mountain
peaks we'll over 10000 feet high and
more than 1000 mineral springs, the
efficacy Of the waters as great as
that Of Vichy, Carlsbad, etc. "Gdia
Official de Espana," procursble in the
libraries, gives a descriptive list OF
the baths and springs. The same au-
thority also divides the country into
three sections in the matter of atmos-
pheric influence: Exciting climates
Alicante, Malaga, Valencia, Cadiz and
Seville. Sedative-Vigo, Granada and
Barcelona. Relaxing Gijon
and all Of the northwest coast. Salts
factory hotels are the rule. Some in
the south are Of the highest order.
Railways are susceptible Of further
improvement. For those compelled to
economic, there are milsge books.
Two thousand kilometres cost $50 In
first class. The fast trains do not
carry second class coaches. The fast
est trains do not exceed thirty miles
per hour. The lamentable lack Of
honesty is shown in the fact that cars
of coal are sprayed with whitewash
to avoid the contents being in part
removed during transi. At each d.
vision a checker must verify the state
of each car.
The Spaniard is always ION the OPP
posite side" He is against the es-
tablished order Of things on general
principles. Running contraband and
smuggling are paying occupations.
Tobacco, perfume, cloth and other mer-
chandise are easily purchasable that
have not entered the country IN tne
rocular WAY. Now they are smuggling
German newspapers must be for
the love Of the game, because the news
: wirelossed here from Nauen and
the stations are in such good running
order that YOU can wire 10 Germany
FOR cents per word. The patent cigar
lighters require government seal
costing 90 cents. Even in the larger
shops the merchant will tell you that;
il is unnecessary to pay the extra
money. He has some under tho
counter without the seal that are
identical.
The "Diluvio" to-day-July e-iH
arrouncinp to-morrow's bullfght. tells
us that the jury will be composed OF
six charming young ladies from So
cietv's highest rank. Further on In the
"ad" it is pointed out that the SIX
bulls 10 be slain are from the Mlura
breeding farm. which invariably iu''
n;sbes the strongest and most vicious
animals. The espadas, those VINO 90
the actual killing, are popular heroes.
Couez gypsy, Is ahectlonateiy
called "the divine baldhead ana Is
the one who furnishes the best an
around entertainment His younger
brother. "Gallito" (the little COCK, Is
nineteen years old and has been at the
ysme two wears. His particular spe-
cialty is pranks.
The country in its conception OF
life is centuries behind the times.
When Spain wakes up she will abol.
ish bullfghts and cigarettes ana
make common school education COM
pulsory and the use Of heaps OF soap
ohligatory Think Of it, On the
main street Of Barcelona, adjoining tne
principal theatre, there are six pubic
later writer's. The use OF cigarettes
is really appalling. Perhaps 1t is quite
in order 70 see trainmen, ehauneurs'
street car employees, walters on duty
priests and guides in the cnurenes
smoking, but the prize goes 70 inc
leader of the orchestra in the Leading
cinema here who was using his cigar,
cite in the place Of an illuminated
baton.
No one recalls ever seeing one OF
the countless pests sell . lottery
ticket, yet the vendors are thick as
flies. All Of the large cities are we'll
supplied with sidewalk merchants. A
calling hardly recognized in most
countries is evidently quito In order
here-"snipe picking" The men en-
gagged in this are so sure Of their
rights and the propriety OF the work
that you are frequently asked TO lifs
your feet or shift your chair in a cafe
10 enable the merchant 70 reach his
prey. II Is said that an active Lad
can pick up two pounds OF butts
netting him sl.40 per day.
Shady business enterprises that have
been driven out Of other places find
a haven here. Medical institutes adj
vertise with enormous electric signs.
The open air cinema is very popular
throughout and would work great good
if the films shown were less trashy.
There is a board OF eensors that re-
ligiously rejects all films in which
kissing occurs. Every other mani.
festation of feeling and passion may
be shown.
The fear OF submarines and mines
has greatly curtailed steamship traf'id
in the Mediterranean. ! have been
waiting here twelve days for q boat
70 Italy and hope to get away on .
freighter tomorrow. The first class
fare on the good passenger boats is 81
normally, and the freight boat captain
has half promised TO let me ride fox
$50. AUGUSTUS FRANK.