New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27

Experience has shown that the best and al
most the only chance OF advancement and OF
increase or pay in the army lies in a prOnuncia-
"'ehto or mutiny. which, if successful. brings
those VINO have been most active in promoting
II 10 the fore; while if ii fails the ringleaders.
either by death or dismissal. create vacancies
ana consequent promotion. History. indeed. and
the teachings OF the past have impressed upon
the mind of the Spanish officer that a well-or-
gained pronunciamento is worth any number Of
victorious campaigns as regards both pay and
rank With but few exceptions all the prizes
or the military profession are in the hands Of
generals whose laurels have been won By dis
loyalty to the Government OF the day. rather
than by true and honest service in the field.
THE NON commissioned OFFICERS
OF course the officers could not make prOnunci-
amentos without the cooperation Of the troops
under their command. The Intermediates be
tween themselves and the rank and file are the
non commissioned officers that is to say. the
sergeants and corporals. who may be said to
constitute the kernel of every military rising.
The average Spanish private is lamentably ig-
norant and unable either 20 read write his
sole instruction being rule derived from
the village priest. who. partly from motives OF
policy and partly on account Of incidence has
taught him nothing more than his mere cate
Chism.
The non-commissoned oflc, r. may be, broadly
speaking described as men who owe their PRO
motion from the ranks to the fact that they
know how to read. write and cipher-in fact.
that they possess a sort IF education similar to
that impaired by the grammar schools in the
United States. Their influence over the men
under their command is due not only to their
superiority OF military rank. but Likewise to
thcr superiority OF education. the common SOL
dior usually depending upon his corporal or his
sergeant to write his letters 10 the old people at
home and to his sweetheart. Moreover, the
non-commissioned officers live in the barracks
with the troS)S whereas the commissioned Off
GERS do not: and while the latter are constantly
being moved about from corps TO corps. the
non-commissioncd officers serve from three 10
fifteen and even twenty years in the same regi-
inent the pay the rewards and the orders for
the men passing through their hands. Finally.
they are recruited from the same ranks as the
men and only differ from the latter. as has been
said in the superiority Of their education. The
control which they have. therefore. over the
rank and file is very great. and. providing The
generals and field officers organizing pronun-
ciamcn;o can succeed in winning the support OF .
a certain NUMBER OF S'TStdtS anu to '' ais ~
promises of commissions as onsigns and leu /
tenants. they can rely upon The services of the 1
troops under their command
SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE
There might be less disposition on the part Of .
the officers 10 take part in pronuncamcntos and
in political movements of one kind and another
against the Government Of the day If there were
a larger lcaven Of men possessed Of fortune as
we'll as Of birth among their ranks. CnfOrtu- /
nately this is precisely an element in which the
Spanish Army is deficient. 1t is possible 10 pur-
chase an exemption from military service for T
The trifling sum Of 500. In consequence Of this .
almost every young man Of family and fortune /
BUYS himself off. There is not even the incentive
Of the uniform in his case. since there are Il
number Of associations and ord rs restricted 10 !
ho members Of the aIistOcraCy which give the .
members thereof the right to Wear seni-Tnili- /
.arv uniforms Of the most gorgeous character /
The officers Of the Spanish Army are therefore, /
As a rule what are known as soldiers Of fortune; .
hat is to say. men who have entered the service :
f the Crown for the sole purpose OF winning |
rank and fortune. and it is to be feared that the
ambition to succeed in these two particulars /
PLAYS a far greater role in their career than any
Of duty or patriotism
II will be readily understood that with such
q condition OF affairs as this discipline is the