The Washington times., 1931-07-21

/ a.
THE WAR WITH SPAIN,
| AN IRONIc, TRIVIAL
/ EPISODE
BY GILBERT SELDES J
In Havana, a few years ago. friend took me to the
famous private menagere of Nine. Abreu zoo limited to
what CALL roughly Monkeys amazing collection Of
gorias simians prmateS Of every description. The
story of their tameness of their fondness for their
is we'll known She widow; Of her had been
killed during the warI discovered later that he been
classmate of mne another living in Paris She
stayed alone in large villa surrounded by her and
her memories.
Strange MuraIs
II got curious shock entering the house. for the wall
thanking circular staircase decorated with such
murals as had never They particularly
we'll made and they clearly represented something sgnf
in the life of the What puzzled the
sight Of soldiers in the uniform of the United States-the
uniform of 1s9S One dashing figure horseback in
the foreground and presently his pncenez glasses out Of
place cavalry charge, gave the key. The mural
picture of the sorming Of San Juan Hill and the hero
was Theodore Roosevelt.
Until that moment had not thought Cubans had
had great interest in sour war;. The Spanish Amerl
my first part OF my childhood; except
an enthusiasm at the Of for Bryan and free silver
it constituted my whole experience Of politics. patriotism
and international affairs remembered the Maine hated
Butcher Weyler and sang, Spain Spain Spain, You
were Americans and discovered that Cubans had
been devoted to Teddy as ourselves
Who Made the War?
Nv mind was brought the house Havana by
reading Walter Mills account of the with Spain The
Martial Spirit - which is published by Houghton Mftn
It anpears to reviewers and not Mr. Mills have
stressed too much part played bringing on
the war; and running it, indeed the newspaper manage
ment of the far superior to the military and naval
Perhaps enough has been made OF the Geo.
nomic reasons Mills udicious and ironlc at the very
end he almost gives that he could maintain the str
cal impulse without doing great wrong to- human feelings
for it was small and short ones its costs in human
lives in money material trivial and comedy it
superb
Who Won 1t?
was in 1900 Schey To those who argue whether
offre Foch the battle Of the Marne this term means
nothing but the controversy between Admra Sampson ana
Schley consolidate sides at baseball pulaway
added good hard hate to games Neither admiral
comes off we'll in Mills accounts does our Teddy
exactly shine story of his nrgues being interest
ing of his military prowess OF all people,
General Shafte gently treated he seemed to have
suffered much and he fat got into
brawl with him position in photograph during flag
raising over conquered city And Mr. Dooley said that
Shaer could Santiago himself without losing an
It was merry and silly one, at home The bump.
tiousness politicians matched by the mldlty OF
such statesmen had Incompetence universal
passed almost without comment The antimperast-
pacfs became colonel but too late to head OF the
Assistant Secretary the Navy who joined the Army and
created the Rough Riders Mckinley honestly prayed for
Guidance The Spanards magnanlmouS IN de1eaC ana
our sailors told cheer because the devils
dying
Songs Of the Day
It is vastly entertaining story. The only thing miss is
story of general who from affair." had an
soldier recapue standard in the midst OF shot
and she'll You may remember that he rushed over and
cried out Who saved flag speak lads Twas noble
yes, indeed" And who it? His own son. Just
break the mother!" Edward Marshall the famous
interviewer during minor battle and carried
the main hospital tent, singing 'On the Banks of the
Wabash at the top of his voice. special edition OF the
song (words Theodore Dresser music by Paul Dresser
his brother) issued with Marshal's picture on the
cover Marshall showed it to and told me that
hundreds soldiers the tent where he lay in tor
ment looked in anxously cried out "l amt Teddy, and
went cheerfuly about their business.
What war. We can't expect to its like again 1t
too good to be true
Speed and Morals