Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-14

the regular army. All the privates are ma
tive Porto Ricans The battalion coming
to Washington will be unmounted and will
be under command of Maj. Eben Swift
captain, 9TH Cavalry.
The 1st Battalion was recruited early in
the year 1899, and the mounted battalion
in the winter and spring of 1900. The men
are armed with the new Springfield rifle
and clothed like our regulars and other vol
UnteerS. -------.
The experiment of using the natives as
soldiers in Porto Rico has proved to be
very marked success, judging from the ap-
pearance of the organization as has been
seen on parade, march and in camp.
Men of Endurance.
The men aresusually small, weighing 10 to
Is per cent less than the average of Amer
lean soldiers, but they are tough and wiry
and have good endurance. They are tract
able and obedient, and show a willingness
and anxiety to learn. They adopt the ways
of the Americans readily and are fond of
his food. While they are not habitual meat
eaters, and many Were almost unaccus-
toned to 1t. yet all are eager for the meat
component of the ration. In some cases
safety is believed to have caused intestinal
disorders, but generally the native troops
compare favorably with the Americans as
respects health and availability for duty.
The mounted battalion has been less time
in service than the other, and the men have
a harder task in learning their studies, be-
cause they must learn the work of mounted
men in addition to all the rest. Very salts
factory results have been secured, and both
battalions are reported to be in excellent
condition for service in Porto Rico or else
where.
The native horses Cor ponies as they are
usually called are about one-third lighter
than the ordinary American horses. but as
the men are all lighter the lack of weight
of the mounts is not a real deficiency.
These native horses cost little less than
500 each, and their keep is much less than
half as expensive as was that of the cav
airy horses formerly in the service at the
same places.
The native horse is given a half ration Of
OATS and the rest of his food is native
green grass. The cost of a ration for a ma
tive horse is about 20 cents. while the cost
of full forage ration of an American
cavalry horse in that country was not less
than 40 cents, including transportation in
both cases: besides the native animals are
immune to many diseases common there to
northern horses.
Enthusiasm of the Cadets.
An interesting fact in connection with
the participation of the cadets of West
Point and Annapolis in the inaugural pa
rade of March came to light today-a
fact illustrative of the patriotic enthusiasm
which is to mark the celebration anent the
second induction of William Mckinley OF
Ohio into the presidential Office.
When Gen. Francis Vinton Greene of
New York was appointed grand marshal
of the inaugural parade by Senator Hanna
in the latter's capacity as chairman of the
republican national committee, the man
who is to direct the magnificent pageant
declared that one of his principal efforts
would be to secure the attendance of the
Military and Naval Cadets. He was soon
in communication with the War and Navy
Departments, and the officials Of those two
branches of the government expressed
themselves as being heartily in accord with
the movement.
Upon investigation 1T was found there were
funds available for meeting the expense Of
the West Point cadets. but none for the
''middies," this condition having been
brought about, it is stated. by reason of
the fact that the Naval Academy appro-
priation had been entirely exhausted. while
the military appropriation was sufficient to
meet the demand upon it.
General Greene was quick to act. The
department officials were willing that the
Naval Cadets should be brought to the
city, but did not see how the matter could
be arranged without a special approprfat ton
by Congress, which 1t was thought fnprOb-
able to have made at such late hour.
Returning to New York, General Greene
placed the matter before few of his pub
lic-spirited friends, with the result that
within day or two subscription had
been made to guarantee the total cost Of
bringing the Annapolis cadets to Washing
ton and entertaining them while here. The
cadets will be In the city but one day. re-
turning to the academy the night OF
March 4.
The participation of the Annapolis and
West Point cadets will be distinct feature