Evening star., 1901-03-04
THE PORTO RICAN BATTALION.
A Fine-LOoking Body of Men From
That Island.

That Island.
The Porto Rtcan Battalion attracted con-
siderable attention all along the line Of
march. They wore the regulation uniform
OF United States troops and there was
nothing specially noticeable about them ex-
cept possibly that they were neater looking
and marched better than the average Amer
lean regular. They are a fine-looking body
of men and showed perfect familiarity
with modern military tactics. Their fine
military bearing and perfect marching and
discipline in the line today speaks we'll for
their intelligence and ability and reflects
credt upon the officers from whom they re-
ceived their instructions.
The Porto Ricans arrived here at a late
hour Saturday night and marched directly
from the railroad station on Maryland ave-
nue. to the War Department, where they
are Quartered during their brief stay in the
national capital. Their trip from Porto
Rico was made without any mishaps or
serious discomforts Leaving San Juan on
the army transport Rawlins last Monday.
they arrived at Newport News Friday even
ing. The next day they were transferred
to a special train Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad and brought to this city. ar
irving here tired and hungry, but none the
worse for their sudden transfer from the
tropical climate Of San Juan to the winter
climate Of Washington in March. Every
provision was made for their comfort and
they will undoubtedly carry back with them
a most favorable impression of the United
States and Its methods Of government. Re-
sides enjoying the high privilege of seeing
and participating In the installa ton of their
ruler In the President of the United States.
they proved an object lesson to the people
Of the United States as representatives of
one Of our new island possessions
There Is now in service in Porto Rico a
regiment formed entirely of native troops
1t consists Of two battalions of four com
h. q ha tal Io
ed on native horses and the other is un-
mounted. 1t Is the latter that is now in
this city. Lieut.. Col. Buchanan has com
mand of the regiment, but Mai w r
Almy, a Washington boy, SON of Admiral
Amy OF the navy, Is in command of the
visiting battalion. His force consists of 26S.
men. formed into four companies, command
ed by the following officers: Captains r r
Maginniss, o. Latrobe and A. D. RAYMOND.
First Lieutenants H. L. Cooper, w. w. Bal
lard, jr., and Bias Nadal, Second Lieuten-
ants w. w. Martin, c. b. kerney and Jean
S. Oakes Lieut.. Ballard is adjutant and
Lieut. Martin quartermaster of the battal
lon All the officers mentioned are ex-offi-
GERS of the United States army, with the
exception of Lieut.. Nadal. who is a native
of Porto Rico He is attached to COMPANY
A, commanded by Capt. Maginniss Al
though born in Porto Rico, Lieut.. Nadal
came to Newark, N. j., when but five wears
or age and was educated in that city. He
got his first military training at the Glen
wood Military Institute of New JERSEY. His
father is prominent resident of Porto
Rico. engaged in sugar planting, and his
mother Is native Of New York Young Ma
dal was on the island during the Snanisb
war, and when Porto Rico was ceded to the
united states he was among the first to
give his allegiance to the new government
ne naturally took an interest in the or
Of the native regiment. and he
cause of his ability and military trainins
was given commission in it.
All the enlisted men are native Porto |
Ricans lS and most of them have been with
the battalion since it's organization n tha
summer Of 1899. They speak the Snanish
language almost entirely and have many
of the habits Of their former rulers. Thev
ire addicted to the cigarette habit to an |
extreme degree, but otherwise are strictlv
temperate and correct in their habits Of |
life. Strong drink has no attractions for |
them, and they never give any trouble |
IN that account The abolition of the can
teen causes them no uneasiness Most all |
If them belong to the Caucasian race and
ire no darker Of skin than any white man
would be after service under a tropic sun.
They are all of good physique and compare
avorably from physical standpoint with
he average American soldier. They are
ough and wiry, and have great endurance.
Cractable and obedient and anxious to
earn, they make first-class soldiers. Z
They adopt the ways of the American
eadily and are fond of his food. While
hey are not habitual meat eaters, and
many were almost unaccustomed to it!
ret all are eager for the meat component
II the ration. In some cases safety is be-
ieved to have caused intestinal disorders.
,ut generally the native troops compare
avorably with the Americans as respects
lealth and availability for duty.
The experiment of using the native Porto |
2icans soldiers has proved highly sue
essful and the American officers are proud
4 the appearance of and discipline of their
men on parade, march and in camp. AL
hough all the officers speak Spanish and
zone of the soldiers are adopts in English.
II orders are given in the latter tongue
spanish being used only when necessary
or detailed instructions. The natives are
apidly acquiring a knowledge of English.
which study is encouraged, but 1t will be
many years before Spanish can be omitted
ntirely from their military curriculum,
Although there is caste In Porto Rico there
3 no race prejudice, and the black troops
nd those having traces Of negro blood are