The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-06
NAVAL CADETS IN SPAIN.
THE ROUTINE AND METHODS OF A
SPANISH NAVAL EDUCATION.

From the New Orleans Picayune.
The personnel of the Spanish naval off,
GERS and the methods by which they are
educated are perhaps, as little known in
Europe as in our own country. Although
Spain has what might be termed an elap-
crate system of naval education, such a
period has lapsed since she has been en-
gagged in a war of any magnitude that
the actual ability of her navy is an I'M
known quantity, although the near future
may demonstrate it very clearly 10 Ameri-
ca and the great Powers. 1t is generally
admitted that Instruction in Cuba while
long continued, has merely shown the in
ability 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 engagements of gun
boats and f1libusters, and has been really
of no consequence.
The reputation achieved by the Spanish
in the days of the Armada and in the con-
ficts which distinguished the early part
of the present century, is familiar TO
every reader OF history; and it is the opin-
ion of British and other naval officers
that to-day SPANS power lies principal-
ly in her naval representatives, writes
Henry Hale in the Independent Political
influence, however has prevailed to a
large extent in the army and navy as well
as other departments of the government;
hut it has not been as widespread in tie
latter branch of the service as in the
other; and the Spanish naval officer, while
he has not received the thorough training
| requisite for d commission in our own
country or Great Britain, is 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 Cartha-
sena was formerly one of the principal
educational centers, but later Ferrol, near
the northwestern coast became the site
of this branch. The young Spaniard re-
ceives his primary education still at Fer
roll but, with the exception of the engl-
neering school, the higher institutions are
at. Cadiz. The graduates of the navy
| complete their course at the academies of
| San Carlo and San Fernandina, where are
located also smaller schools of gunnery
| practice and torpedo practice, which form
what would be called In this country post
| graduate courses.
| The Spanish naval cadet is selected from
the upper classes. Sons of officers in SER
vice or retired constitute the majority al
though any one who is in proper physical
| condAion Roman Catholic and 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 tradesmen 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 pop
ular with the people, there IS a great de-
/ mand for 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 circles are as popular as in the Unit
| ed States from a social standpoint, and Of
| ficers are everywhere received with the ut.
! most cordially al festivities and other so.
ciety events. II is very pleasing life to be
stationed at Madrid, CadLz, or any of the
! larger cities, all of which have a numer-
| GUS garrison, while all of the important
| Spanish harbors in time of peace contain
one or more warships, the officers being
! allowed ample time for recreation on shore
| Another reason is that the number of ply
| sicians 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 an important part
of the social system, deters the young
! Spaniard from engaging in trade of any
| kind unless he is of the mercantile class
| Even then many endeavor to avoid an oc-
| cupation which they consider obnoxious
| by entering the service AS the pay of of
1icers is fairly good, and they are, of
| course, provided for at the expense of the
! government, life on board ship and in
! garrison has many charms in times of
| peace. Consequently, 1t is not strange that
| the officers, as already intimated, repre-
! sent the highest class of the Spanish peo-
pie, and number not few scions of nobil-
| ity in their ranks.
The system of instruction should result
in a very high standard of ability in this
navy. Beginning with the training
school, which is on board an old warship
| al Ferrol, the students are taught all of
the essential studies which would enable
! them to command a vessel and become
experts in the most strategic tactics of
modern naval warfare. The primary an
| struction, which last from two and
| half 10 three years, includes hydro
| graphy, natural philosophy, mathematics,
| 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 CadlZ, the former Stu0entS taking Spe-
| cial coures In mechanics, dynamics etc.
! while the others receive their diplomas
| after completing a course in higher
mathematics, navigation, naval maneuver-
ing and administration, artillery tactics
| and, as already stated, torpedo practice
| The finishing touches, as they may be
termed, are put on by a cruise at sea,
/ varying from six months to year. after
which holders of diplomas are given posi-.
| tions as leutenants or some higher Office.
| The instruction in the various schools
is in charge of naval officers, appoint
| ed through the minister of marine; most
of them rank as lieutenants In the SER
vice, although the training school at Fer
| Iol, as well as the academy of San Fer
! nandino, is in charge of retired command
| ers who have sole charge of the curri-
| culunn and outline the educational policy.
! What is known as the post captain Is
| the executive head of each school, who
I carries out the policy, the instructors
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 Car
10 is essentially the artillery school, in