The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-30
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The military bodyguard Of Presi
lent ,Diaz consists Of squadron OF
the best trained men 1 nthe Mexican
..rmy, who serve as an escort to the
tie president on state occasions and
in times of public celebrations In
his private moments President Diag
Is usually attended upon the streets
by few seCyet service men. The vigi
lnce in this respect has been increas-
ed since the recent evolutionary out
break, as 1t is not known what time
N attempt upon the lie of the presl
dent may be made The literature
ShicA the revolutionary leaders have
circulated broadcast throughout Mex.
co makes bitter attacks upon Pres-
dent Diaz and Il Is feared that this
may infiame the mind OF some one to
naFe an attacR upon him
The presidential guard Is eompar-
atively new branch of the oNrmy
says the Philadelphia Record, being
'reatel in 1900 The men compris-
ing the guard are the pick of the army
H. a-e usually selected from the cav
llry or the rurGles. They must not
be less than feet inches tall and
Il robust physique Tnelr ages range
rom 20 to 40 years. Each man is gil
IN thorough medical examination be.
ere he Is accepted for membership
u tie guard. and must be OF high
moral character ana have a clean rec
o9i OF service In tAe army. It is net
necessary that theS shOul have had
a military education. but their ftnega
ior this honorary branch of the ser.
lice Is based upon their practical ex-
perience and training.
Most of the men composing the
guard have performed some notable
lct Of bravery aud many of them have
performed hard service ia campaigns
against the Yaqui and Maya Indians.
The rurales are specially noted fee
their fearlessness in running down
brlgands In the mountains and I'm prr.
serving order in the rural districts OF
ihe country. They are selected 70,
tais. branch of the army service by
the chief OF stan Of the president
with the approval az the secretary Of
war, and must Know how to read anll
write and be acquainted with at least
four primary operations IN arithme-
TIC The term of contract with t1e
guard Is two years, but the contract
usually is renewed If the guardsman
has proved himself worthy of con.
tlnuatlon OF the honor.
The presidential guardsmen wear /,
specially designed uniform whlcn dis.
tlnguishes them from other branches
OF the army, and all are first SER
geants Of the army. the insignia or
this rank being shown upon the uni.
form which is OF a sky blue color.
The guard is well mounted and equip.
ped and the squadron never fails to
call forth much favorable comment
when 1t appears upon the street as tao
escort of President Diaz on state oc.
casions. A first captain Of cavalry is
always the commander of tho guard
and the officers under him are two
lieutenants Of cavalry, a sub-lleuten.
ant, a first sergeant marshal and a
picador, In addition to these officers
the guard themselves elect first SER
geant, two second sergeants. four cor.
porals, five guards of tae slrst.class
and three trumpeters.
Members Of the presidential guard
are allowed the exercise Of the great.
est rersonai liberty. and are NOT kepr
confined to barracks like the ordin.
airy soldiers.