Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-06
TIE EVENING srAN.

| the lack of funds and the refusal Of the banl
to cash Gen. Camacho's worthless check FOL
$50, 1000, has temporarily disbanded, and fol-
some weeks past sort of armed peace has pre-
vailed. The rebels, however, are only bidinf
their time, waiting the opportunity to spring
upon the government in some unguarded mo-
| ment, like very small kitten upon very
large mouse in which event there is no telling
what the result may be.
Military parades are always frequent here
doubtless with view to impressing the people
with their powers, but now hardly a day goei
by without grand display of cavalry and infan
try, rank and file, evoluting around and around
the plaza Martial music is continually in the
air. At stated intervals during every day a
| company of soldiers comes sweeping down the
hill from one barrack or up the hill from an
other, marching behind brass band in full
foot and hating before the presidents casa
where they render a selection or two for the
dedication of the people. 1t is only the cere-
mony OF guard mounting, and although it &C.
ours every few hours. year in and year out, il
is invariably attended by the same flourish OF
music and musketry Besides all this it has
been the custom from time immemorial to have
military music i'll front of the palacio two
nights IN every week and on the evenings OF
most fiesta days, when three bands stationed in
row play alternately, each musician with a
soldier before HIM, whose back serves as a rack
| Tor the score, while gaily caparsoned officers
OF duty swarm like mosquitoes and crowds of
people promenade around and around the
plaza.
GUNS STOCKED IN CHURCH
All the soldiers are obliged to attend mass on
Sunday mornings, "clean shirt day." as it ia
irreverently called, and an interesting sight ii
Is to see them come marching in with shining
bayonets over their shoulders, each division
headed by its officers. They completely fill
the body of the church and the sound of the
organ Is drowned by the blare of trumpets.
AT signal arms are presented, down goes
every musket upon the stone floor with thud
which shakes the building and then the men
stand motionless as statues until the proper
time comes to fall upon their knees.
In the BOLIVIAN army great variety OF uni
form Is noticeable, each officer having appar-
emily been allowed to exercise his own taste in
the equipment of his company and amazingly
have their individual faucies swung out in the
matter of personal adornments. There are
suits in gray and gold, i'll black and gold, in
blue and gold. in blue and red, in black and
blue, in gray and black others ali red, all gray,
all blue; and caps OF various shapes and colors
In the same regiment. Some of the officers
wear long doubed-caped overcoats of scarlet
cloth, others gray cloaks not unlike those of
Franciscan frlars, and others the graceful
satin-lined circulars of black broadcloth char
acteristic of Spanish hidaigoes. The "Presi-
the city in gorgeous array, are, of course, the
crack regiment-in dress and demeanor as far
removed as the antlpodeS from the shabby,
bare-footed common soldiers. The cavalry
make the finest display, the officers on power
full white horses, a thousand men clad in scar
let from top to toe, and riding as only South
Americans can.
Without disparaging the valor of Bolivian
soldiers their general get-up reminds one of an
historic incident which may perhaps illustrate
their character. 1t was many years ago, in
some fracas between Peru and Bolivia, when
the armies OF the two countries rushed forth to
battle with banners flying. So spendidly ar
rayed were they and 80 stunning an appear
ance did they make that when one beheld the
other both sides turned tail and fed in confu-
sion. Gathering courage at length, the rival
generals, with such men as they could rally
returned to face one another, keeping at re-
spectful dist nee and talking through trumpets
when, after considerable parleying, the war
was declared "off, both armies marched home
in triumph with flags unfurled, and to this day
the local historians of both countries chronicle
their side as victorious.
In connection with the difficulty Of placing
Bolivia's soldiers according to their uniform it
may be mentioned that her armies are COM
posed of about as many officers as men. From
time immemorial it has been the object of
ruling powers to render the military loyal to
the government through pride of self-interest
II not from patriotism. Thus we see corporals
iourishing about in toggery of colonels, with
pay TO correspond, and the leader of one Of
the bands wears the full uniform of general
and receives the honors and emoluments per-
tanning to the latter position.
AN INTERESTING OLD HERO.
One of the most distinguished warriors
Bolivia has produced was Gen. Melgarejo, who
appears to have been as original in character
as he was fearless and determined. Evidently
l9 dpalpnnl fartl al ip,a hat
have long gone by, and his methods would not
be tolerated today in any civilized land At
one time he lived in the big house at the north
east corner of the central plaza OF La Paz,
which is now the residence of the bishop. He
was extremely fond of 1.-The rosy," which in his
case not only cheered but inebriated One day
when he had been entertaining a foreign min
lister and had imbibed considerably more than
was prudent he boosted that his troops
were the best drilled in the world
and absolutely infallible in the accuracy of
their movements. The statement being
received by tho guest with polite in,
credulity, Melgarojo ordered up company to
drill in the patio Of his house. After many
curious and before unheard-of evoutions he
formed them single file and marched them up
into the second-story front room where the
minister and himself had lately breakfasted,
opened a window directly in front OF the line
and gave the order march, Having no order
to halt, every man, accoutred as he was stalked
sudlBub through tue WILLOW au0 on the bal
cony, drop OF Is feet or more, to the curbino
below A lot of broken bones was the con-
sequence, but the generals discipline" was
proved beyond cavll, the unfortunate soldiers
knowing that to falter or to disobey meant in
| slant death.
Melgarejo had some French blood in his
| veins and was very fond of the land of his an
| cestors. On the night that news was received
in Bolivia OF war having been declared by
France against Germany, in 1871, he was, as
usual at that hour, more than "half seas over. /"
and at midnight assembled all the troops to
arms in the plaza with orders to march, but
with no hint as to their destination. Great
alarm possessed the people. who naturally i'm
agined that some dire peril threatened them
from foreign foes At length Melgareio him
self appeared, mounted on the famous steed
"Holofernes," which had carried him to many
victories, notably those OF Socabya, Yanacochs,
lgarl, 1ruga and Montenegro. The great cap
general of the division Of Chilli and
wearer Of the badge Of the Imperial Order
OF the Cross OF Brazil, q rare distinction, en-
ttling him to be ever afterward known as
Grand Cross, Melgarejo," halted in front of
his brave men and addressed them, with voice
OF thunder, with these memorable words;
Soldiers the integrity Of France is threatened
by Prussia Whoever threatens France threat
| ems civilization and liberty. I am going to
protect the French, who are our best friends,
and whom love as my own couutrymen. You
are going across the ocean with me. II there
| IL not vessel in readiness we will swim TO
meet one; but let every man take care not to
wet his ammunition"
Neither officers, men nor citizens dared VEN
ture word OF protest, and with Melgarejo at
q al out ~ H.