The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-04
PANAAA'S ARMY A QUEER
AGGREGATION Of COMIC
OPERA NONDESCRIPTS
Composed Mainly of Boys Whose
Ages Range from Ten to Fif-
teen Years.
ALL POORLY CLOTHED
Some Barefooted and Others Clad
in Gaudy Yellow, Blue and
Gold Uniforms.
MAKE GOOD FIGHTERS
But Die When Wounded Because
There Is No Medical Corps
General HuertaS.
or the Journars snecial Commissioned.

From the Journals Special Commissioner.
PANAMA, r. p, Dec. 21-The army and
navy of the Republic Of Panama are institu-
tions that belong to the modern comic-opera
stage. They have inherent natural fighting
qualities; but no manager in his strivings
after the grotesque, ever produced on that
mimic world which lies back of the foot
lights aggregations better calculated to ex-
cite the risibilities of those who come from
the haunts of northern civilization and prog
ress than are these, which are supposed
to uphold by force of arms the dignity of
this new nation.
The army of Panama, with one small bat
talon stationed here, and separate COM
panies distributed in other centers of pop
ulation throughout the isthmus, is one of
the most remarkable organizations with
which any man ever came in contact. Its
equal can be found nowhere unless it is in
some other Latin-American republic. and
even among these countries it would be i'm
possible to match all of its ludicrous de-
tails
Ask at the government building, and they
will tell you that they have 200 superior
men in their army. Go investigating on
your own account and you will discover
that this army consists of about 700 officers
and men, the number of officers being out of
all proportion TO the number of men. Pur-
sue your Investigations a little farther and
you will be assured by those in authority
that if necessary the Republic of Panama
could put from $1,000 to $1,000 men in the
field to resist an invasion or put down an
insurrection. Apply yourself to an effort to
gauge this populace and you will come
ba hat
would tax the resources of the republic to
the utmost to arm and equip 800 men for
active service. and that even this number
would have to go into the field without uni
forms and with most varied assortment of
arms.
JUVENILE FIGHTING FORCE.
The long and short of the matter is that
the army of the republic is little more than
a name. The Colombian battalon-for by
this name il is still known-which, under
the command of General Huertas, effected
the arrest of Generals Tovar and Amaya
and gave substantial form TO the revolution,
was, during the old regime. really effect
i've organization. 1t was recruited princi-
pally in the province of Cauca. where the
men grow to goodly size and where they
take naturally to the profession of arms.
III was Well uIlIOTUeu, well 6QulppeQ anu
fairly well drilled. Although it numbered
only 200 men it able. when turned out
on parade in gaudy yellow. blue and gold
uniforms, with it's multiplicity of generals.
colonels and captains, each one dazzling
in his gold lace and resplendent accoutre-
ments, to impart SNOWY effect to any
scene. But since the birth OF the republic
of the isthmus it has lost much of it's iden-
tity.
In the hurry of setting up the new gov
eminent there was Il natural eagerneSs to
recruit the strength of the army. Little
Judgment was exercised in enlisting men
for service, and to-day the Panamaian army
CORPS 1t is not exaggerating facts in the
least to say that in this army there are to
he found a larger number OF boys under
fifteen years of age than there are persons
over that age
A visit TO the barracks of the Colombian
battalion, or to the quartet, the new bar
racks opened under the republic impartS
the same impression would a visit to a
juvenile institute. Before General Huer-
tas's offices at the barracks, when | called
there the other day, lad of ten years of
fellow was barefooted, is the rule in
the ranks and the only resemblance to a
uniform in his apparel was a worn and
sOiled cap, about three sizes too large for
him. About his waist was strapped a belt,
the point of the bayonet scabbard clearing
the ground by not more than two inches.
AS he brought his rifie-an obsolete Spring
field-to the order and saluted, the crown
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