New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
SPANS FIGHTING MEN.
THEY RELY FOR GLORY UPON INTRIGUE
RATHER THAN VALOR
,olrTIcs OCCUPIES THE ATTENTION OF OFFICERS
AND MEN To THE DETRIMENT OF
DISCIPLINE AND EFFICIENCY.
+ OrFICERS

nets on the ground that he preferred to serve
snsin as a soldier rather than as a politician.
Al first sight this reply might appear to be die
tated by single minded patriotism. such the
people OF other countries are accustomed to look
for in those who wear the national uniform. But
Knowledge OF Spain based upon residence in
the land If the hdagOs is calculated to dspel
this illusion and to cause one to place a less
disinterestcd interI rotation upon the reply Of
the gallant General.
No soldier with any ambition for political
preferment would ever dream Of entering the
Cortes 1t is not In II, but in the ranks
Of the army. that most OF the intrigues are
hatched which result in the overthrow Of Cab-
nets and in the advent TO power Of new men.
who arc either officers themselves or creatures
o: the military element and pledged TO conform
to the latters bidding
With the single exception OF the Ministerial
x1sis OF last autumn. for which the Queen Re-
gent was alone responsible. there has not been
q single change Of administration during the
last If-century which has not been brought
stout directly or indirectly by political intrigues
on the part Of the officers Of the army; and
to them also must be ascribed the numerous
dynastic changes that have taken place
more than fifty years constituted the princi-
pal political factor in Spain; and, inasmuch as
they are invariably Matched among the officers,
commissioned or non commissioned, in active
service. it is only natural that generals who
are posse sS"d Of ambition should mantle st reuc-
lance to put themselves out Of the race by tenn
the toga Of d legislator.
NAVAL SERVICE IN DIsFAvOR.
II Is worthy Of note that the sister ser
vice has played no part in any Of the
pronunciamentos that have brought about
either changes Of administration or Of ruler
ship While this rebounds to the honor OF the
officers and men of the Spanish fleet it is large
ly responsible for the fact that the naval service
is summed, a rule. by men who are possessed
of ambition and OF briancy. who are appar-
entity convinced that there is little or no pros
pect OF achieving distinction at sea. With the
solitary exception Of the late Admiral Topete.
there has not been a single naval officer who
has achieved any kind OF celebrity in the nine
teen;h century; and. although Spain has always
owned fine ships manned by hardy and ex-
sailors recruited from the seafaring
population Of the Atlantic coasts Of the king
DOM yet her naval history during the last hun
dred years has been illustrated by no great vic
tory. but. on the contrary. oycrshadowcd by dis
aster and defeat.
The fault lies evidently with the officers Of the
navy rather than with the men. The lat
ter are possessed Of almost denticaly the same
qualities and shortcomings as the Bretons. who
constitute the backbone Of the naval forces II
France. That is TO say, they are brave hardy,
agile and obedcnt Moreover they are de-
vcut to the extent Of downright superstition.
On The other hand. they are. like the Breton
exceedingly unclean and lacking in the neatness
which characterizes American and English sail
ors Nor 30 they possess the Intellectual cali
tre ~ tho latter nor yet their initiative and
resource u mind. In one word. they are not
men who oan be relied upon to DO well without
good officers and that j. precisely what they
ha,e not 81 inefficient IS the STAFF Of Of
fcers. both in charge OF the naval arsenalS
and u the rarious departments Of the Ministry
Of Marine az Madrid. that no ore would feel
surprised II Oh the outbreak OF hoStiliues the
Spanish leet should find itself handicapped al
most g. thc extent Of uselessness By the lack ~
fuel Of war material and Of Indispensable sup
plies - one kind and another.
Therefore although spain has a fine feet. as
far ,he mere ships and their armament
are concerned and can even boast of large
fighting force Of sailors. yet judging by the past,
her navy need not De- expected to play any very
important part in the event Of d war with the
United States
TIE FOURTH ESTATE or THE REALM
II B.. ,a. army that mopopozes Whatever there
Is 10 ta- -aap. " ambition intellect ana brill
hucy .n spain. where il has been nicknamod
u Fourth Estate Indeed. The Spanish Army
may oe regarded as the nineteenth century
count.riar. g the old Praetorian Guard Of Rome.