Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29

Everything else he has 10 provide out
OF his pay, which is about equivalent 20
1Od. Hence. it is fortunate that his tastes
are simple. The reservists receive no
pay, except at such times as they may
be embodied for training or emergency
service.
Entrance to the commissioned ranks IS
by competitive examination. A young
officer who is successful in this is per-
mitted TO elect, as far as the immediate
requirements Of the army may permit
which branch of the service he will join.
He then passes into one or other Of the
military academies, where his profession
al education is begun. The academy Tor
the infantry is at Toledo; that for the
cavalry at Valladolid. The artillery
school is at SegOvia, and that for en-
gineers at Guadalajara. At Madrid there
is a superior institution. where officers
are trained for staff duties. Admission
TO this is also by competitive eXamna-
ton, but before an officer is eligible Tor
nomination he must have served for
prescribed period in his regiment. Gradu-
ates OF the college do not return TO their
regiments. They become members OF the
grand staff corps, and it is from tA'
ranks Of this body that officers are S.
lected for STAFF duties. In the Spanish
ment on the staff unless he has passed
through the staff college. The spanish
authorities pride themselves on the pro-
fesslonal attachments OF their officers
and also on their reserve OF officers Ihls
reserve is also Of two grades-one u
paid and the other is not.
THE SPANISH ARMY IN CUBA
The Spanish Colonial forces, including
local militia and In Cuba a volunteer
force, number about 10000 officers ana
men. The militia in Cuba has now been
permanently embodied for nearly ten
years. The volunteers are Spaniards VINO
have settled there, or were born OF Span
.sh parerte in Cuba. They arc an unpaid
body, who have elected thus 70 serve IN
Iteration OF their being excused haV-
ing to serve in the militia They are IN
structed and commanded by stan ohcets
of tho regular army The Cuban militia
is not very strong body, and for va
riety Of reasons it is not looked on Win
great favor The Spanish authorities as
sert that there are now 10000 officers and
men OF their regular army in Cuba Inc
volunteers and militia total another i0Wp
The American authorities. however esu-
mate the Spanish forces IN Cuba as lS5V"
regulars and $1,000 militia and volunteers
The Spanish Government wishes u 10
be known that they emphatically deny
that boys OF premature years have been
sent ont 10 the island as soldiers, ana
point to the conscription laws as AFFORD
ing positive proof that there cannot have
been soldiers OF the regular Spanish army
IN Cuba under 20 years Of aF"
they had been boy drummer and buglers
very few. indeed. OF whom nave Dec. 49,
lowed to embark with their regiments.
The regular Spanish infantry Is equip
ped with Mauser rifles. constructed on
Spanish model. which is slightly different
in its breech and magazine action 20 mo
German Mauser. It's calibre Is mill
metres. The Cuban volunteers and militia
are armed with rifles OF various sorts
mostly OF American manufacture. inc
larger number is Of the Remington ana
Winchester types. In Cuba there are some
quick-hring Maxim Nordenfeidt Held
guns. Those OK the regular army arc
Krupp's breech-loaders, slightly modined
In certain respects 20 meet the views OF
the Spanish authorities. They are Oh
and 9 centimetres calibre Some or the
Spanish scientific and departmental corps
are still armed with Remington earoines.