The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
THE Army OF sPA1N.
1t Is Composed Largely of Youths,
and Is Poorly Drilled.
Chicago Times-Herald

chicago I1IneS-EeralQ.
From trustworthy sources it has been
learned at Washington that 10000 men
have thus far been killed, wounded or
otherwise incapacitated during the present
war in Cuba. AS to the pecuniary ex-
pense Governor General Blanco has in
tlmated to the home government that he
of his sTmy ana m9656 Tor ye 5Re IS
pay part OF the nine months of arrears
aggregating $50, 600 00Q-to contractors, civil
ofhciaIs and army and navy pensioners.
The previous war in Cuba from the ris-
ing of Cespedes at Yara in 1868 to the con-
vention of Zanjon in 1878, when it was Off
clally supposed to have been ended, lost
SPAIN according to a recent military work
by Don kepazaZ, of Madrid, 500, 900 and
100000 men. Such figures, in view of the re-
suits accomplished in Cuba, cannot be fully
understood without some knowledge of the
Spanish army. The almost inconceivabie
folly and incompetence Spain has shown
in dealing with Cuba are nowhere SO strJk-
ingly shown as in connection with her
army. The present Spanish force in Cuba
whom not more than S0O0 are effective for
military purposes. In addition there is 4
volunteer army. mostly in the nature of a
nome guard for Havana, consisting of 3d.
600 men. AT home the Spanish army at
present, including detachments in nearby
possessions is estimated at 100000 mer
which may be increased by reserves to 610,-
600 men.
But even this army is largely a paper af-
fair. People accustomed TO read OF the
great standing armies of France, Germany,
Austria and Russia and the care that is
being taken to bring them to the perfection
OF military minuLiae in drill, discipline,
equipment, etc. are likely to attach too
great Importance to official figures in the
case OF the army of Spain. Its true condi-
ton is known to its more intelligent officers
and to European governments, which make
1t their business to ascertain the strength
and weakness of the fighting machines and
forces. the navieS and armies of their neign-
boring states.
An English writer visiting in Spain last
year gave an account of his observations
upon the Spanish army in the United Serv-
Ice magazine. The real reason, one patent
enough, ne says, to any foreign resident in
the peninsula, why the Spanish army has
pursued such a tagging campaign in Cuba
is simply that cavalry, infantry artillery,
engineers-all branches Of the service alike
have had no schooling in their trade" Not
man from brigadier general to private
seems 10 have grasped the rudiments OF the
science of war as It is understood In other
regular drill, no practice in gunnary or any
branch Of military routine. AS a result they
recruits scarcely know how to shoot Even
physically says the Englishman, they
are the wretchedest of beings, wiry enough,
put undeveloped, since nothing Is done to
strengthen, diet or improve them. 1t makes
one sad to see the quality of the expeditions
packed off in heartless shoals to Cuba: bows
to look at, of fifteen and sixteen, who have
never held rifle till this moment, and now
are almost ignorant which end it fires
butchery-with cheerful patriotic. willing
faces, but the very antithesis of a. soldier"
Or such material not much could be ex-
pected under any circumstances. The am
nual contingent of recruits is fixed at $4,000
men, and all Spaniards past the age OF
nineteen are liable to be drawn for the reg
uIar army, in which they must serve we ti,Tse
years, when they pass into the first or ac-
tive reserve for three years. after which
they are included for six years in the Sec
ond service. On paper this scheme would
seem to be an admirable one, and adapted
to give Spain large. effective army In q
Crisis. In reality, owing to inefdciency OF
administration of the army and also to the
fact that payment of 1,500 pesetaS will
purchase exemption from service, Spain
can at best mobilize a big army Of un-
drilled men of little efficiency as compared
with better drilled and armed battalions.
Neither officers nor men possess technical
knowledge of modern warfare and seem to
rely solely upon native daring and courage,
but are more likely of themselves to lead
to massacre than battle with wells
drilled and well-oficered army as oppo-
nents: The army also. especially in Cuba,
is deficient in cavalry, and to this defect
many of the Spanish themselves are in
clined to charge their failure in the Cuban
war.
Don Repazas in his military Study OF
The War in Cuba" presents a picture OF
Spanish military ineficiency almost as se1
we're as that already given. While he chains
that his countrymen in the wars in Cuba
have shown the essential qualities of the
durance," he also tells them their defects
have appeared so terribly exaggerated
tnat tEs strongest spirit quails on con-
marizes as nlaladministration grown to a
terrible height, want of reflection wretched
love of money and reward gained by what
ever means. This indictment is amply JUS
titled by the record of the Weyler regiIna
in Cuba, when mismanagement, waste, ex-
tortion, bribery and treachery were the
rule and but little care was taken Of the
shoals of unframed youths sent over by
Spain to replenish his army.
The best thing that can be said OF the
Spanish soldier of to-day, differed as he Is.
is that he is brave and patriotic, and capa-
BILE OF endurance on smaller rations than
any other European soldier would be con-
tented with. This latter quality is mada
necessary by the poor quality and character
of the Spanish commissarist. English and
American troops in time OF war are the
most literally fed, and experience has
one Of the sources of effectiveness in war
With Cuba devastated as it is to-day and
all Spanish supplies to be shipped across
the ocean, it is fortunate for the Spanish
soldier that but little field and fatigue serv-
ice is required of him. In a contest with a
first-class power the Spanish soldiers would
doubtless fight worthily, under all the cir
cumstances but they could not make an
effective resistance to any army Of well-fed
well-drilled men. 1t is owing to this great
defect and also 10 the fact that the Spanish
soldier is ignorant OF the science and dis
cipline of war, of "the craftsmanship that
hits, the steps that charge and march and
advance and retire other words, ignor-
ant of the art of war-that enc of all
the brave nations is falling swiftly from its
high estate"