SOME SPANISH VIEWS AND CHRISTMAS AT THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL

Alejandro Pidal y Mon.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 28, 1896.

SOME SPANISH VIEWS.

How Spain Would Fare In the Event of War.

AMERICANS AN INFERIOR PEOPLE.

Leading Political Personages Express the Opinion That the Nation of Tradesmen Would Succumb to the Valor of the Proud Hidalgos.

   MADRID, Dec. 28.—El Liberal publishes letters from leading political personages on the relations between Spain and the United States.

   Signor A. Pidal, president of the chamber of deputies, says in his letter that it is necessary to understand the American nationality which, through errors of the Latin races and the selfish Anglo-Saxon policy, seems destined to transform and absorb in an embryonic union of a people without a history the future destinies of the American people.

   Some people consider that the American union is a prototype of the world's democracies, Signor Pidal continues. Wiser thinkers have reckoned up at its true value this gigantic agglomeration of new peoples. Serious statesmen are aware that strife, especially economical, is inevitable between Europe, whose champion now is Spain, and the American colossus, which was foreseen by the Prophet Daniel with a head of iron, a breast of silver, a belly of bronze and feet of clay.

   Proceeding then to compare America with wealthy bankers, Senor Pidal argues that she will think twice before attacking the poor hidalgo, whose only defense is his ancestral sword.

   "Spain must not display bravado," Senor Pidal continues, "but a calm determination to preserve her colonies, confiding in the justice of her cause and leaving the result to Providence. Those who once shouted 'A Berlin,' established later the horrors of the Commune. Spain is not invincible, but she is not a despicable enemy, and history shows that in many instances a small and desperate army has routed superior forces."

   General Pando writes that he knows thoroughly the offensive and defensive power of the United States and he knows the Americans themselves and is convinced that they are inferior to the Spanish. Therefore, America would be the greater sufferer at first.

   "Though this is my opinion as a military man," General Pando adds, "as a citizen I do not desire war. Who knows how the conflict would end?"

   General Pando proceeds to urge the importance of immediate diplomatic efforts between Madrid and Washington to settle the difficulty, and if possible terminate the rebellion without fighting to the bitter end.

   "Let America have a chance," General Pando is quoted further as saying, "to show by her acts whether her friendship is sincere. Nothing is so dangerous as delay. But whatever comes, the Spanish army is ready to repeat the deeds of our forefathers in American soil in defense of country and honor."

   Senor Moret, the Democratic Liberal, writes a letter pointing out the safety and correctness of President Cleveland's and Mr. Olney's policy and the danger of a departure from it for United States' international affairs. "Spain," he says, "can benefit by the American constitutional dispute by wisely pushing the [Cuban] war to a rapid end and establishing reforms before April. The Spanish government may now see its way to accept the good offices of President Cleveland after despising the warning of native political parties. The government's policy is incomprehensible. It is capable of granting autonomy in Cuba while establishing the inquisition in the Philippines. Who can tell whether the government will arrive at an understanding or will declare war with the United States? Perhaps after Captain General Weyler, with 40 battalions, has cleared the province of Pinar del Rio of rebels the government may, with a stroke of the pen, establish autonomy in Cuba."

American Jingoism Attacked.

   PARIS, Dec. 28.—The Figaro publishes an article entitled "American Interventions." During the course of this article Figaro continues its attacks upon "American jingoism." It considers the American rumor to the effect that the European powers will advise Spain to reach an amicable agreement with the United States as absurd.

   In conclusion Figaro says: "Such a proposal would be an insult to Spain. Moreover France and England and Germany are more than likely to assist Spain against America, as they have an equal interest with Spain in demonstrating the absurdity and illegality of Monroeism."

SPANIARDS DEFEATED.

An Attack on the Forts of General Rivera Repulsed.

   CINCINNATI, Dee. 28.—A special from Key West, Fla., says: Reports from Havana are that an attack was made on one of General Rivera's foothill forts by some of Weyler's forces and that the Spaniards were repulsed, the big dynamite gun belonging to General Rivera's command securing the victory for the insurgents.

   It is reported that over 59 men were lost on the Spanish side and fewer in the Cuban ranks.

SPAIN DEFEATED AT SEA.

Cuban Steamer Three Friends Gives Battle to Her Warships.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 26.—Special to The World from Key West, Fla., says: The lone star flag of Cuba has met the red and yellow banner of Castile upon the seas. The shrapnel, shell and rifle volleys of a brave filibuster have made answer to the roar of Spanish 12-pounders and have gained for Cuba Libre the first victory on the ocean.

   The filibustering steamer Three Friends sailed from Fernandina, Fla., Sunday night, Dec. 13, carrying a valuable cargo of munitions of war for the Cuban insurgents, eluding the vigilance of United States warships and revenue cutters and dodging every sail upon the ocean. The little steamer with about 50 men was within hailing distance of Cuba on the sixth night out.

   Surprised, trapped and fired upon she threw shot into a Spanish naval coaster, frightened off a big gunboat and escaped from a swift cruiser, steering out to sea.

   The Three Friends put in again to the coast and safely landed her cargo on the border of the great Zapata swamp.

   Not before in Cuba's struggle for liberty has the flag of Spain been fired upon at sea. No other filibuster, after having been attacked by the enemy, has stood by her guns and fulfilled her perilous mission.

   As the cargo of the Three Friends was being landed the Spanish coast patrol came up and a fierce light ensued between them and the Cubans sent by General Gomez to escort the cargo into his camp. After two hours of fighting the Spanish were driven off and the cargo was landed and safely carried into the interior.

   The vessel then lay to for several days in a secluded cove and started for Florida last Monday. She was pursued by several gunboats as she entered the windward pass and a ball from one of them tore a hole in her bulwarks. A barrel of oil on the furnace fires soon ran up the steam and the fast craft crept away.

   Emerging from the keys two cruisers were found waiting for her and another race ensued. The Spanish vessels fired on her for half an hour.

   Captain Lewis then ran in among the keys and, escaping from the Spanish war vessels, reached American waters near Miami, Fla.

Spaniards Deny the Above.

   HAVANA, Dec. 26.—Inquiries in official quarters elicit a denial of the story published in the United States that the filibuster steamer Three Friends fired upon a Spanish coast guard steamer and a Spanish gunboat which attempted to capture it while running into the San Juan river to land its cargo of arms and munitions.

Cortland Hospital.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL.

A Tree, Gifts for All and a Pleasant Entertainment.

   The air of preparation and expectancy that had pervaded the hospital for a few days, that did not seem called for by the condition of the patients, was explained when the tree which had been placed in the upper hall was lighted up at an early hour on Christmas eve. The nurses under the guidance and with the assistance of Dr. Paul T. Carpenter had formed a foraging party and had secured a spruce suited to their purpose. This had been elaborately and tastefully decorated and upon the lighting of the tapers presented a beautiful and most attractive appearance with its inviting array of gifts.

   A few friends of the inmates had been invited to share their pleasure and Mrs. David Wesson and Miss Jennie Guild who, with a company of young misses, had kindly volunteered to sing some carols were also present and contributed much to the evening's enjoyment. The singing of the carols was followed by appropriate remarks from the Rev. J. A. Robinson regarding the origin and significance of the Christmas tree.

   Then came the distribution of presents and, while the affair had been planned for the especial pleasure of the child-patient who could not enjoy her Christmas at home, all had been remembered and little Florence herself was fairly buried beneath the many parcels piled about her. The turkey, pies, jellies and other delicacies also contributed by generous friends were reserved for the Christmas dinner. Though "No vote of thanks to Santa Claus'' was tendered by the recipients of his bounty, all were most grateful to him and to his very active earthly assistants.

Cortland Opera House.

"The Rajah" To-night.

   Possibly no dramatic production in the present century has possessed a more lasting hold on the theatre going public than has Mr. William Young's masterpiece, "The Rajah." For 500 nights it has played to the capacity of the Madison Square, New York City, and for fourteen consecutive months its popularity has been endorsed by the critics and public of all the large cities of the United States. In the representation to be given at the Opera House to-night Manager M. Wilber Dyer has not only striven to maintain the prestige heretofore attained by the Madison Square organization, but has created a new standard of excellence by lavish expenditure coupled with artistic taste. The artists have been surrounded with scenic embellishments necessary to gratify the taste of the fastidious.

   Reserved seats are on sale at the Candy Kitchen, 17 Railroad-st. Popular prices, 10, 20 and 30 cents will prevail. A lady will be admitted free with each reserved ticket sold.

BREVITIES.

   —The ice at the park rink is now surpassingly fine and the skaters are enjoying themselves in the highest degree.

   —Miss K. Louise Tanner entertained informally a few invited guests at her home, 17 Lincoln-ave., Saturday evening.

   —The police found a wheel on the street Saturday night which is at the police station awaiting an owner.

   —Hantshire Rucker, colored, died this morning at his residence in the Squires block of typhoid pneumonia, aged 44 years. The funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

   —New advertisements to-day are—A. S. Burgess, men's suits, page 8; Case & Ruggles, big cut in prices, page 6; W. J. Perkins, Rose and Cucumber jelly, page 6; Tanner Bros., now, page 6.

   —The W. C. T. U. hold a Temperance Crusade meeting Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 7 P. M. at the Baptist church. The history of the crusade which began at Fredonia, N. Y., Dec. 1873, will be given, also a paper upon the W. C. T. U. and its growth since it was organized in 1873.