The Republican journal., 1903-05-14
1Idities of Life in Lima.

So''D ,..,r.spondence of The Journal.]
p.pl- April 3, 1908. In these
,,r, bedizened military men are
3! ,.-,us AS flies in midsummer,
s, 'rN about one brass-mounted
't'7 to ryery ten common ones.
il'- ... rulk and file of the Peruvian
.' .o.ost exclusively made up OF
-s. s.d negroes, the line and staff
"' .,me of the best families in
ID! .,.5tr All the officers are sons
' .farracy, who have been edu-
-' .. tutir vocation in the various
' .u 4,aoois. They wear extreme
i .utorms with plenty of scar
.i .u-d lace and brass buttons,
-..-,t. seen in anything but full
...,...r.,s. off duty or on. "A Span
.....y-r his station in life, is
49,. vrar sword; but nothing
ar.. lim to carry a muSket.
-..-,e of caste was strongly
few wears ago, i'll the de-
ua against the Chillan
... doctors, lawyers, mer-
.,ts everybody, regardless
H condition rushed into
mach as did the citizens of
-. states in '6l: but not a
-., of them could be coaxed
ad To put on uniform. They
RI light i'll defense Of their
..-.. sluntry, but refused to be
... u wearing the toggery OF
oilers.
..| ..n- constitute the infantry,
... lltustomed from childhood
.. .u foot in the mountainous
..ruy nave acquired wonderful
.I endurance on the march.
-. umpany of soldiers there
.. ot women, Whe are called
.s.. lo2en of them to every
Nirtv men. These female
...- serve without pay, but are
DS and free transportation;
--.. eminent not only tolerateS
-. RACES their presence, as 1t
....r ..4ke the men more content
ne really of much service
..-- m'h in camp, and in battle.
......t the same fatigues and ex-
..... Io their lords and masters,
..,.L most of the foraging for
~ % which they belong, not to
lie cooking, washing and
-ssary work. They are al
s the men, are officially enum-
dr.. tt rosters of troops, AS also
.. .4.rts of caSuitieS-So many
Ia. ,o many rabonas killed and
.ur they share the soldiers
r Hepmplainingly as they do
..lus. In battle they nurse
led, carry water and amunl-
rHe dead, and perform any
.U services that may be re-
,ruI ut allowing rabonas to
..... ..- army grew out of the habit
. ad of taking their wives to
lis time went on the marital
-. ..L this class became lessened
u. consent. The rabonas of
not much like Mama Celia,
..rs .pss, who instructed the
.. sunieu of the olden time in the
uMg, weaving, sewing, and
f children; for these are about
serable and degraded speci-
. can iind-hardly degree
. logs with which they sleep,
t nj the ceremony of marriage
..- uuknoWn; but they have viz
geltheless, not the least being
~.t r-ss under difficulties, and
-Ss unto death. Their powers
ruce are extraordinary. Often
TO march twenty or thirty
tween daylight and dark, many
eJrrying babies on their backs.
-- tardly a company without a
youngsters following at the
e is rabonas. The children of
D.. --.Mant have the hardest time,
umelesS from birth as we'll as
s-~.s generally without rest OF
e. md often without food. When
Vt them dies on the march the
a.ts strips off the rags and throws
to.i little body into the sand, OF
s14- { Under a tree, glad to be re-
-1- Il the encumbrance. The Peru
a soldiers are all volunteers, because,
most republics, CONSUMPTION is
r-di,u by law. But the way they
4n.-er'' is unique. When more
'le.> are needed, men are sent out
aptlre Indians wherever they can
'Irl tomes, on the highway, or II
.s Icuareas. These are locked ul
'a tArre are enough to send to head
Aai-rS, and then they are taken be
3'e the proper recruiting officers an(
,aa= o sign a statement to the effec
Hay they volunteer to serve thei
"ltrt IS long as she may need them
t"urse they cannot read, and "sign'
4asng cross; but thus the law
s'aHd- are satisfied. A dozen or NOR
"uHteers" are then lashed together
%4 ldyrng his hands tied behind him
"a.