The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-04
SOCIETY IN LIMA
AS 1t Was Found by Mrs. Fannie
b. Ward.
VOLUNTEERS In THE ARMY.
Female Soldiers and Their Children-Some
Details Of Etiquette Of South
America.

LIMA, Peru, Dec 4. IS90.-TSpecial cor
respondence of THE HERALD. I'm these
parts gaily bedizzened military men are as
numerous as flies in midsummer, averag-
ing about one brass mounted warrior to
every ten common" ones. While the rank
and file of the Peruvian army is almost ex-
usively made up of Indians and negroes,
the line and staff represent some of the best
families in the republic. All the officers
are sons of the aristocracy, who have been
educated to their vocation in the various
military schools. They wear extremely
gaudy uniforms, with plenty of scarlet
cloth, gold lace and brass buttons and are
never seen in anything but full military
dress, of duty or on. A Spaniard, what
ever his station in life, is
PROUD TO WEAR SWORD;
but nothing can induce him to carry mus
ket. This prejudice of caste was strongly
eXemplified a few years ago. in the defense
O. Lima against the Gillian army, when
doctors, lawyers, merchants, priests
everybody, regardless of calling or condi-
ton rushed into the ranks much as did
citizens of the United States in 1861; but
not mothers son OF them could be coaXed
or compelled to put on uniform. They were
glad to fight in defense of their homes and
country, but refused to be degraded by
wearing the toggery of common soldiers
The indians constitute the infantry, and
being accustomed from childhood to travel
on foot IN the mountainous INTERIOR they
have acquired wonderful rapidity and en-
durance ON the march. With each COM
nun nf coll rl Nf
women who are called rabonas-a dozen of
them TO every twenty or thirty men. These
female volunteers serve without pay, but
are given ratlons and free transportation;
Tor the government not only tolerates but
encourages their presence, as it serves to
MAKE THE MEN MORE coNTENTED.
They are really of much service-on the
march, in camp, and in battle. They share
the same fatigues and exposures as their
lords and masters. besides doing most of
the foraglng for the messes To which they
belong, not to mention the cooking, wash
ing and other necessary work. They are
always with the men, are officially enumer-
ated III the rosters of troops, as also in the
reports of casualties-so many men and so
many rabonas killed and wounded-for
they share the soldiers death as uncom-
plainingly as they do his privation. In
battle they nurse the wounded, carry water
anu dLluIuuiUlOL, TOD UGau, ana per-
form any other useful service that may be
required.
The custom of allowing rabonas to 60
with the army grew of the habit the Incas
had of taking their wives to war: but as
time went on the martial ties among this
class became lessened by common consent.
Inc raoonas OF to-day are not much like
Mama Della, their ancestress, who in
structed the Indian women of the olden
time III the arts OF spinning, weaving, sew
ing, and the care of children; for they are
about the most miserable and degraded
specimens one can fnd-hardly a degree
ABOVE
THE DOGS WITH WHICH THEY SLEEP.
Among them the ceremony of marriage is
almost unknown; but they have virtues
nevertheless, not least being cheerfulness
under difficulties, and faithfulness unto
death. Their powers of endurance are ex-
traordinary. Often they have to march
twenty or thirty miles between daylight
and dark, many OF them carrying babies on
their backs. There is hardly company
without score of youngsters following at
the heels of the rabonas. The children of
the regiment have the hardest time, being
homeless from birth as well as nameless
generally without rest or shelter, and often
without food. When one OF them dies on
the march, the mother strips off the rags
ana throws the poor little body into the
sano or leaves 1t under tree. glad to be re-
heved of the encumbrance.
The Peruvian soldiers are ali volunteers,
because as IN most republics, conscription is
forbidden by law. But the way they vol
unteer'' is unique. When more soldiers
are needed, men are sent out who capture
Indians wherever they can-at their homes,
on the highway, or in the chichareas
These are locked up until there are enough
TO send TO headquarters, when they are
taken before the proper recruiting officers
and
MADE TO SIGN STATEMENT
to the effect that they volunteer to serve
their country as long as she may need them.
OF course they cannot read, and ''sign'' by
making a cross; but thus the laws demands
are satisfied. A dozen or more '.Voun-
teers" are then dashed together, each hay-
ing his hands tied behind him, and they are
driven TO the garrison, like sheep to a
slaughter-house. Uniforms are put on
them, muskets given them, and they are
turned over TO the tender mercies of drill
sergeant, who puts them through the sim
plest tactics, until they at least know how
TO carry gun and fire it.
On this subject Mr.. w. E. Curtis SAYS:
81 saw drove of about $50 of these volNn-
teers come into Lima one day, tied up like
chickens or turkeys, in lunches of ten each,
with an escort of twenty men, who them
selves had probably gone through the same
process of volunteering year CT so before
and seemed rather to enjoy the remon-
straaceS OF the conscripts. Behind the col
umn came seventy-tive or more women.
weeping and chattering, and some of them
had children tugging at their skirts. The
women could Stay with their husbands if
they liked and become rabonas and proba-
bly, most Of them did,
THE LIMA PENITENTIARY,
which by the way was built by Philadel-
phia architect, on the plan of the Phlladel-
phia house Of correction, contains about
one hundred and fifty prisoners, who are
serving out life sentences for murder. The
liberal government long ago abolished cap-
ital punishment, but political offenders are
still tried by military courts and shot when
adjudged guilty OF conspiracy or treason.
Hanging was never perpetrated in Peru.
even in the darkest days of Spanish
cruelty. The prisoners are mostly en-
gagged in making uniforms, shoes and other
equipments for the army.
Though Lima is surrounded by some most
romantic and inviting spots there seems
10 be a universal Indifference to country
life; except during certain season, when
it is the custom of those who can afford il
TO flock to Mirafiores, (the Newport of
Peru or to make themselves uncomfortable
for sake of a little sea bathing at Chorillos
the local Long Branch. There are plenty
of other places within short distances from
the crowded city, which, were it New York.
Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, or any
other North American metropolis, would
be covered by suburban villas.
PEOPLE DO NOT EVEN RIDE OUT
TO these lovely spots for breath of coun-
try air, but fashion confines itself to the
busy streets, except ON All Souls Day.
when everybody promenades in the great