The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-08
SPHIN'S NAVAL SCHOOLS
SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTION GOOD, BUT
ADMISSION MADE TOO EASY.
Positions In the Navy Desirable for
Social Reasons, and Candidates
Accepted by FavOritism.
Henry Hale. in the Independent.

Europe as IN our own country. Although
Spain has what might be termed an elab-
crate system of naval education, such
period has elapsed since she has been en-
gagged in war of any magnitude that the
actual ability of her navy is an unknown
quantity, although the near future may
demonstrate 1t very clearly to America and
the great powers. 1t is generally admitted
that the insurrection in Cuba, while long
continued, has merely shown the inability
of her military forces and what is generally
believed to be corruption among the officers
in command on the island. The naval work
has been merely confined TO a few engage
ments of gunboats and filibusters, and has
been really of no consequence.
The reputation of the Spanish achieved in
the days of the Armada and in the conflicts
which distinguished the early part of the
present century, is familiar to every reader
Of history; and it is the opinion of British
and other naval officers that to-day Spains
power lies principally in her naval repre-
sentatives. Political influence, however, has
prevailed to large extent in the army and
| navy we'll as other departments of the
government; but it has not been as wide
spread in the latter branch of the service
as in the. other; and the Spanish naval Off
GER while he has not received the thorough
CdAlAllLS requisite IOr d commission IN our
own country or Great Britain, it still fairly
proficient while so far as courage and
natural advantages are concerned he is
perhaps equal to any of his rank. At the
time the Armada was afoat, the Spanish
sailors had no superior the world over and
their skill in naval tactics at that time
was remarkable. The city of Carthagena
was formerly one of the principal educa-
tional centers, but later Ferrol near the
northwestern coast, became the site of this
prancn. me young Spaniard receives his
primary EDUCATION still at Ferrol but, with
the exception of the engineering school, the
hgher institutions are at CadiZ. The grad
yates OF the navy complete their course at
the academies of San Carlo and San Fer
nandina, where are located also smaller
schools of .gunnery practice and torpedo
practice, which form what would be called
III thls country postgraduate courses.
ONLY ARISTOCRATS ELIGIBLE
The Spanish naval cadet is selected from
the upper classes. Sons Of officers in serv-
ice or retired constitute the majority, al
though any one who is in proper physical
condition, Roman Catholic and a Spanish
subject, is supposed to be eligible. Outside
the sons of officers, however, one finds only
the children of professional men in the list
occasionally the family of a tradesman be-
ing represented. This is far different from
the United States. where the members OF the
Annapolis Naval Academy come from all
walks of life. AS the navy is very popular
with the people, there is a great demand
Tor entrance, and the beginning of each
school year finds far more applicants than
can be accommodated at the training school
One reason is that the army and navy cir
cIes are as popular as in the United States
from q social standpoint, and officers are
everywhere received with the utmost cor
events events. 1t Is a very pleasing life to be sta
tL .4ieo at MADRID, Cadiz. or any Of the larger
cities all Of which have, numerous
Spanish harbors in time of peace contain
one or more war ships, the officers being
allowed ample time for recreation on shore
Another reason is that the number of phv-
slclans and legal practitioners is extremely
small in Spain, and the opening for young
men IN this respect is very limited The
question OF caste such important part of
the social system, deters the young Spaniard
rom hn n engaging IN trade of any kind unless
ne is or the mercantile class. Even then
many endeavor to avoid an occupation
winch they consider obnoxious, by entering
the service. As the pay of the officers is
1airly good, and they are, of course pro-
vlded for at the expense of the government
IRE on board ship and in a garrison has
many chafmS In times of peace Conseuuent-
Iy 1t is not strange that the officers. as al
ready animated, represent the highest class
or the Spanish people, and number NOT few
sclons OF nobility in their ranks
SYSTEM OF TRAINING.
The system Of instruction should result in
a very nigh standard of ability in the navv
Beginning with the training school which
Is on board an old war ship at Ferrol tha
stuuents are taught all of the essential
stuoles Which would enable them to COM
mana vessel and become experts in the
most strategic tactics Of modern naval war
rare The primary instruction, which lasts
from two and half to three years. includes
photography, natural philosophy. matbe-
mates, fencing, drawing, gymnastics and
the study of English or French at their op-
ton. Graduates in these studies enter the
engineering School or the academies at
Cadiz, the former students taking special
courses IN mechanics, dynamics, etc. while
the others receive their diplomas after COM
pleting course in higher mathematics
navigation naval maneuverng and admin, |
istration, artillery tactics and as already
stated, torpedo practice. The finishing
.ouches, as they may be termed, are put on |
by cruise at sea, varying from six months
to year, after which holders Of diplomas
are given positions as lieutenant or some
higher Office.
The instruction in the various schools is IN
charge OF naval officers, appointed through
the minister of marine; most of them rank
as feutenants in the service although the |
training school at Ferrol, as we'll as the
Academy of San Fernandino is in charge |
OF retired commanders who have sole
charge or the curriculum and outline the |
educational policy. What is known as the |
school VINO carries out this policy, the in |
structors being under his orders AS at |
Annapolis and West Point. the cadets elect |
their own officers, having a commandant |
and subordinates for drill purposes San
Carlo is essentially the artillery school. in |
charge of a colonel of artillery and board |
OF officers representing both branches of the |
service. for the graduates of San Carlo man |
the ordnance both on the war ships and in |
the land Notifications. AS may be i'm |
agined, the engineer students are taught |
special branches, and the course here is |
widely different from the methods pursued |
In the other institutions.
SPANISH MARINES.
Contrary to our own PLAN Spain has a |
special system for the education of marine |
officers. The standing of these troops is
considered the lowest in the service, and the |
pupils are made UP of noncommissioned |
military officers and naval cadets who have |
been unsuccessful in the training school or |
have been obliged to leave the navy for |
some other reason. The age OF admission !
to the training school is from thirteen to |
eighteen years. to the Cadiz academies from |
eighteen to twenty-six years. and to the |
engineering school from sixteen to twenty |
one years.
What naval officers consider the weak |
point in the Spanish method of instruction
is the fact that it is not necessary to grad |
uate from the training school to enter San
Carlo or San Fernandino. The applicant
Who passes certain examination and who
is a Roman Catholic in religion can enter
L. mi