The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-01
In Pose, Watching His Colonel,
Who Is About to Give
an Order.
E0uipment and Characteristics OF the Mex.
lean Soldiery-Reforms 1nsti-
tuted by Diaz.


this desert landscape detachment of Mex
lean cavalry is drawn up in line ready to
set out on the march. The swarthy soldiers
resting at ease in their saddles as they await
the order to move have an equipment not es-
sentially unlike a United States frontier cav
airy regiment. The bugler holds his lnstru-
ment in hand in readiness to give the call to
march. The subordinate officers are in place
along the line. Amid the conventionally uni
formed troopers the strikingly picturesque
figure of the scene is the superb officer who
sits his horse SO erectly in the foreground
just in front of the bugler. 1t is the Mexican
major in command of the left wing of the
detachment, who is evidently watching his
colonel about to give the order to march. He
is an impressive figure in his short jacket,
loose riding pantaloons, and high, wide
brimmed sombrero, all his costume heavy
with braid and other ornaments of silver.
His saddle and bride are adorned with sill
yer trappings, and with sabre at side and
revolver at belt he bestrides his horse a
figure alert, martial, and proud. He is, in
the officer on duty, with al! the esprit of
his profession, and whether in the disciplin-
ing of his force or in his conduct toward
an enemy in arms he is little likely to be
swayed by sentimental or merciful consid-
erations from the carrying out to the letter
the orders of his official superiors or his in
dividual ideas of military duty.
The purpose Of the march about to begin
is perhaps merely a change of a garrison
from one post to another; or some Mexican
state may show symptoms of revolution,
and it's political affairs require readjnst
summary effected through the meaps of
the federal troops, the perniciouar activity
of the disturbing element bsahg perma-
nently suppressed through. the agency of a
corporal and a filarof men with the con-
vincing and qpiefing argument of ball
IN may beFon foot, in which case Mexi-
cavalry are dreaded enemies even to the
set-riding, Apaches, Hardy and indie
.atigable. living principally on Indian corn
and beans, with practically no baggage
train or commissariat to impede, this
trates difficult mountain regions, moving
with celebrity and certainty unattainable
by more cumbrously equipped troops The
horses, which they ride, while larger than
those which the Mexican cavalry rode in II
former day, are smaller than Kentucky
mails, light of foot and very effective TO-:
short dash. They can live upon little, and
pick mp subsistence where larger, more
carefully trained horses would starve. They
are finely managed BY their riders, and
steeds and troopers make light of the all
days march, with its heat and uprolling
clouds of dust; sustained by the simplest
fare, they satisfy their thirst at the infre
quent rivulets meandering half lost down
the middle of wide sandy channels across
their route. or the muddy pools which, at
long distances apart, mark the stages of the
march. Campaigning against the Apaches,
they follow them hard, and when they
come upon them far away from their noun
tain Businesses, are apt to make the situa.
ton trying for the feetssaud willy redskins.
and the trace of Arab blood that he pos
sesses through the Moorish Spanish strain
of his ancestry does not hurt him as CAM
paigner upon the high desert plateaus. in.
the dry rarefied air of which is an exhilara-
ton that to the native makes endurance
easy and difficulties light to meet.
In estimating the quality of the Mexican
soldiers Of to-day one would greatly err in
confOunding them with the undiciplined,
alarmed, ill-fed levies unwillingly forced
into the ranks, and driven to meet the con-
fident, will-eauiipped United States troops
during the Mexican war of 1916. The con-
ditions now are far different. The struggle
against the foreign invader during the |
epoch of Maximilian's reign, and the prac- |
tice gained i'll encountering in battle, and
often beating the courageous, highly dic-
pinned French soldiers, developed the mill |
gave them confidence; and from their op-
ponents they learned lessons in warfare
which they have not forgotten in later
times. The growth of natural spirit
arising from the memory of success against
foreign foe, and from the evident in
creased stability and strength of the fed
eral government has vastly helped the pres
tige and morale of the Mexican soldisry.
The Mexican is quick to fight for hon II in
private or public quarrel, and in his char
acter there is a strong element of fatalistic
indifference to the preservation of his life
that makes him, when under good leaders,
dangerous opponent. The handling
of weapons is his delight, and
of all ways to die he would
choose to be shot. The Mexican soldiers are
generally amred with the Remington rifle
or carbine, the sabres used being largely of
American manufacture. Until the cessa-
tion Of the Apache wars in 1886 a large part
of the Mexican soldiery had constantly to
be kept On the northern frontier, in readi- |
ness to meet and pursue bands of hostile
Indians, which afforded an excellent mill
tary training school. and contributed to
keep them in an effective condition and |
state of discipline.
Since the close of Maximilian's reign
Mexico's military strength has steadily in
creased. owing in part to the political con-
ment the a,my has been necessity, to |
support it against revolution and render its
DEGREES efficient; hence the party in power
has always directed its earnest attention to
keep it in good condition and in readiness
to net. When General Porfirio Diaz was
firmly installed at the head of the govern
ment, and felt strongly enough intrenched
in power to institute the reforms he has at
heart, he reorganizeo the federal forces, and
made it his endeavor to raise them to an
equality with the troops of other nations.
He reduced the numbers of the scattered
forros concentrated then, md v-oIa &c
them a compact and serviceable army. The
old system of compulsory recruiting, the
cause of inanity, discomfort and constant
deaertion. has been done away with, al
though large portion of the Mexican
troops is composed of persons who. having
violated the criminal laws, have accepted
the choice Of enlistment in the army in
in place of going to prison; thus to call the
Mexican army of volunteer service ia of
questionable accuracy.
The new military judicial code of 1879
was laid before tho Mexican congress, and
the ordinance Vas approved by President
Dias in 6eItsmber, 1880. President Con.
xalex comptetei the details of the work Ia
1881, and in June he issued decree estab-
fishing complete and definite military or
Ranization. Msxioo's army, which in num-
hers is about the same a. that of the United
States. 10 maintained with its navy of four
gun-boats, at yearly cost of about S.
100000. In addition to the garrisous of
federal for0s, each state also has militia of
its own. w11ch takes the place of a police
force to q considerable extent, guarding the
avnHa kha