THE DEFEAT OF SPAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10832, 16 August 1898, Page 3

THE DEFEAT OF SPAIN.

Sir,—Will you allow me to express in a few words the sympathy I cannot but feel for the humiliated and defeated Spaniards ? There are numbers who will cry voe victis, but those who know Spanish history cannot but feel sorrow for a gallant and chivalrous nation, that iu its time has been one of the great nations of the world, and lias been at the head of an Empire larger in extent than oven that which Britain possesses at present. That Spain has lost it through her own faults, there can be no dispute, but still there is this to be said for her, that she fell gallantly fighting to the last. The discovery of America, and the founding there ot Christian states in which were reproduced the laws, the language, the religion and the social customs ot the mother country, is a greater feat than either Rome or Britain accomplished. We are masters of India, but we have not made India either Christian or English. In every part of Spanish America, the influence and power of Spain is yet to be seen, and will never be eradicated. The Spaniards have their faults, but they are those of a great conquering race. For centuries they formed the bulwark against the Mahometan power, and after long years of constant struggle succeeded in reconquering their country, and driving back the Mahometan invaders. The services they thus rendered to Europe should not be forgotten in this hour of their sorrow and defeat. For four centuries .their country has been drained of its most active minds by a constant emigration to the colonies, and the result is that the stay-at-home Spaniards have not progressed as they ought to have done. But the Spaniards wilt now be able to devote themselves to tho improvement of their own government, and the energies which have been wasted abroad will find full occupation at home. They are a noble race of courteous and chivalrous men, and may yet regain a great place in Europe. If they do not possess the capacity of the Anglo-Saxon for organising colonies, they did govern them. Theirs was a truly Imperial policy. Ours is a policy of letting things drill, aud trusting to chance.—l am, etc., I!. H. Bakewell. August 15, 1898.