The army—Division of forces—Active reserve—Auxiliary—Republic's fighting strength—Military education—Strict training—Excellent discipline—Schools and polytechnics—Manual training—Workshops and output—Economies in equipments—Garrison services—Barracks—Destruction of Zapote Barracks—New constructions at Capital, Santa Ana, Santa Tecla, Sitio del NiÑo, AhuachapÁn, Cojutepeque, San Miguel—Annual expenditure.

The National Army of the Republic of Salvador is divided into three main sections, each of which is under the orders of a Departmental Commander, the only superior to whom is the Minister of War. In the Department of San Salvador, which comprises the Capital, the command of the troops is vested in the hands of the Minister, and special commissions are held in connection with this command. The first of these commissions covers the Attached and Reserve Forces of the whole Department; the second relates to the Active Forces of the Department quartered outside the Capital; and the third deals with the two military zones into which the Military District of San Salvador is divided.

The entire strength of the Salvadorean Army is, approximately, as follows:

Active Force consists of 78 Staff Officers, 512 Officers, 15,554 Troops, or, approximately, 26 Battalions.

Auxiliary Force consists of 49 Staff Officers, 356 Officers, 11,176 Troops, or 18¹/₂ Battalions.

Reserve Force amounts to 251 Senior Officers, 1,743 Officers, 56,151 Troops, or 93¹/₂ Battalions.

This gives the total strength of the Effective Army as—378 Senior Officers, 2,611 Officers, and 82,881 Troops, or 138 Battalions, more or less.

The Government, on the advice of the late President, General Figueroa, have devoted the closest care and attention to the question of military instruction, and the system at present in force is the outcome of the intelligent study of similar systems in force in other countries, and the adaptation of the best features existing in each. A very high esprit de corps exists among the Salvadorean troops, and, for the most part, they enter upon their schooling and training with both zeal and interest. It must be remembered that a great proportion of the troops are merely Indians; and it speaks well for them that they should take so kindly to a course of what really amounts to mental and physical restriction, which, after all, is an experience somewhat different to what they and their ancestors have been accustomed, except when serving as serfs under a brutal Spanish dominion.

Conspicuous success has attended these courses of military instruction, especially in regard to the 1st Infantry Regiment, which is quartered at San Salvador, and to the 1st Artillery, which is quartered at Santa Ana. Here the men punctiliously attend the lectures upon military subjects which are delivered by the regular officers, as well as by means of ordinary instruction classes. In other garrison towns night classes are held regularly each evening of the week, the instructors in these cases being the officers quartered with the garrison, as well as an eminent German Professor (Herr Alfred Vischer) who was engaged from Germany especially to impart military education to the Salvadorean troops.

A School for Sergeants and Corporals has also been established, with the idea of training these non-commissioned officers for appointments to higher rank in the army. This school was some time ago joined to the Polytechnic Institute, and placed under the command of the Director and Sub-Director of the latter institution; but subsequently, owing to a disastrous fire which broke out and destroyed a portion of the Zapote Barracks, in which the classes were customarily held, the two schools had to be separated and conducted in separate establishments.

It is characteristic of the broad-mindedness of the Salvadorean Government that among the instructors engaged was Colonel Armando Llanos, of the Chilian Mission, who for a considerable time had been Instructor of the Polytechnic, and later was appointed Director and Commandant of that school. In addition to the Director and Sub-Director, the School for Sergeants and Corporals has a Doctor, a Paymaster, two Captain Instructors, eight official Company Ensigns, and two Civilian Professors. All of the officers who serve in this corps have to enter through the Polytechnic School, and among them have been many distinguished cadets.

For the use of the officers there exists a very agreeable Club, at which they can procure their full meals and all kinds of light refreshments at moderate prices; while the usual amusements, such as drafts, cards, billiards, etc., are provided for them. So comfortable is this Club made that the officers, as a rule, find very little inducement to visit the larger towns in search of their amusements; a matter of great importance is this to them, in view of the fact that the barracks are, as a rule, situated at some distance from the City, and railway travelling is, under any circumstances, rather expensive.

In addition, this school has a number of workshops attached, where shoemaking, blacksmithing, tailoring, beltmaking, etc., are carried on, the output providing the principal requirements of the garrison, including the supply of uniforms for the officers.

The staff of officers and cadets of this school, together with the troops who occupy the annex, take part in periodical reviews and manoeuvres; and even severe military critics have been obliged to admit that the smartness and orderliness of the troops are in the highest sense of the word praiseworthy.

The course of instruction which is followed appears, indeed, to be very thorough, while the examinations through which officers have to pass are in every way drastic and thoroughly "stiff." The Polytechnic has turned out some very smart officers, the supply being fully equal to the demand.

Of late the Polytechnic School has been provided with a first-class physical and chemical laboratory, equipped with most modern apparatus. The annual expenditure upon this establishment may be put at between $65,000 and $70,000, which includes all the salaries paid to the Professors and the fees to the officers who deliver lectures, the maintenance of the cadets and troops, forage for their horses, and all general expenses.

It is the practice at these schools to have field-days, when the troops, as well as the cadets undergoing instruction, take part. Upon these occasions they go through most of the features of an ordinary campaign, including embarking and disembarking upon the various lakes and inland watercourses, shooting and camp-pitching, bridge-building, and a thorough training in the evolutions of field artillery. The various cadets who are attached to the Engineers Corps, Telephone and Telegraph Sections, and Medical Staff, have to go through courses in the duties of these particular branches of the army; and it is, therefore, quite easy to understand—when one considers the thoroughness of the training in all branches of its service—why the Salvadorean Army should stand first among the five Central American Republics for military efficiency. That such training is thoroughly effective and conducted with the best morale results was proved in connection with the earlier unfortunate trouble, when many of the officers from the Polytechnic Schools distinguished themselves not only by fighting gallantly, and in some cases meeting their death with bravery, on the field of battle, but also in regard to the skill and ability with which they handled their troops, both in defence and in attack.

In regard to the garrison services, the infantry and cavalry are almost exclusively employed, the artillery being quartered both in the Capital and the City of Santa Ana. The officers serve for one year certain, and they are thus afforded every opportunity of acquiring a sound and finished instruction, and of becoming thoroughly disciplined. The 1st Infantry Regiment occupy commodious and suitable quarters, and they are generally noticeable for their smartness and soldierly appearance, when both on and off duty. Santa Ana is garrisoned by the 1st Artillery Regiment; and here, again, the troops are comfortably quartered, and the strictest discipline is maintained. The barracks are located at the Casa Mata, an old but commodious building, which has been remodelled and adapted to present-day requirements. A new story has been added, and this is used as offices for the Commanders and Majors of the corps, while one side of the building has been converted into extensive stabling for twice the number of animals that are actually needed.

In point of cleanliness and comfort the Casa Mata Barracks, as well as those at the Capital, which I was invited to inspect, leave little room for improvement; and it is worthy of remark that no epidemic of any kind has broken out in these barracks for many years past, these having remained perfectly free from contagion even when smallpox was raging in some other parts of the Republic. The Military Authorities are commendably particular in regard to vaccination and re-vaccination, not only when the troops go on active service, but at all times. There is a well-maintained army dispensary attached to all the barracks, and every regiment in the Republic is entitled to free supplies of medicine, drugs, and attendance.

While duly economical in regard to its expenditure, and zealous in seeing that nothing is wasted, the Government has done everything that is necessary to keep the troops adequately equipped both in arms and ammunition, uniforms and supplies. The extensive and efficiently-equipped Government workshops are in the charge of a German mechanic, and here many of the military criminals, who are confined in the Central Prison, are taught useful trades, and their services as masons, tailors, and mechanics, are employed to good purpose. Some capital work is turned out in these workshops, such, for instance, as military equipments, uniforms, etc. I was informed that during the year there had been made there 2,710 complete uniforms for the infantry and artillery, 890 for the cavalry, 545 for colour sergeants, 200 for the port police, 258 for marines; 931 soldiers' caps, 537 cartridge-holders, 2,023 putties, and 2,378 rifle-slings. Special orders had been executed in regard to 22,914 uniforms and 11,311 caps, giving the considerable total of 27,447 uniforms of all kinds, besides a large number of heterogeneous military uniform fittings.

During this period there had been delivered to the different garrisons of the Republic 27,223 uniforms of various kinds; 14,299 caps; 5,840 scabbards with their ferrules; 2,550 kitbags; 1,200 blankets; 1,550 pairs of cotton gloves; 562 cartridge-belts; 1,790 pairs of canvas putties; 200 pairs of leather spats; 2,040 rifle-slings; 271 pallets for soldiers; 354 cloaks; 600 pairs of gaiters; 1,350 water-coolers; 450 canvas nosebags, etc. Although the not inconsiderable sum of $151,723 was expended upon these and other equipments, it will be readily recognized that the Government must have saved enormously in its expenditure by employing the services of its own workshops.

It is desirable to say something in regard to the character of the buildings which the Government uses for military purposes. References have already been made to the serious conflagration which destroyed the handsomest and most generally used barracks in the Republic—viz., the Zapote building. The fire broke out on March 27, 1908, the actual cause being a mystery, although it was supposed that the disaster had its origin in the defective installation of the electric light, a badly insulated wire having been allowed to get into contact with one of the wooden turrets. The building had been almost completed when this accident took place; but fortunately, owing to the quick services which were rendered by the garrison staff, the police, and some volunteer helpers, the total destruction of the barracks was prevented, and the greater part of the war material stored therein for use was saved. The barracks have now been completed, and form one of the handsomest blocks of Government buildings in the Capital.

In Santa Tecla, which is situated but ten miles distant from the Capital, a large and handsome block of barracks has been constructed, and is also practically complete, the work having been in hand since the year 1905, but progress being considerably impeded from time to time through various causes. It seemed, indeed, that these barracks would prove something like Cologne Cathedral, and never see completion; for as soon as one part was finished the work was arrested, and before any new addition had been made the old part had fallen into decay. Neighbouring wars, earthquake shocks, and lack of necessary funds, all played their part in occasioning these delays; but at length the building may be pronounced complete. The front is constructed in two stories, the three other sides being in one story only; and, while the exterior of the building is constituted of handsome cut stone, the interior is of a lighter material suitable for tropical residence. There have been over 50,000 blocks of stone cut and laid for the frontage; the total cost will doubtless prove to be heavy, but the result achieved will have been worth it.

In the town of Sitio del NiÑo new barracks have been built for the garrison, an expenditure which has been rendered necessary in view of the advent of the railway between Acajutla and Santa Ana, which crosses here, and forms an important junction and stopping-place for travellers. The barracks took several months to complete, and they now form a very substantial addition to the town's notable structures. The principal block of buildings has 27 yards of frontage by 15 yards of width, including the corridors and other buildings. The extent of frontage, which faces the railway-station, has a notable elevation, and rests on 2 metres of stone foundation, one course below the ground, and the other above the ground level, which is considered to have been the most healthful style to have adopted, the residential part of the building thus being elevated appreciably above its foundation.

In AhuachapÁn a substantial and handsome building for barracks is also being erected, the chief material employed being masonry, while the whole structure has been planned with a view to defence in case of necessity. The building has four turrets, one situated at each corner, in addition to two smaller turrets which are placed on either side of the principal gateway. The thickness of the walls has been decided upon with the idea of resisting the attack of artillery of the kind usually employed in these countries. The interior of the building is constructed of unburnt bricks, the arrangement being of the utmost simplicity, the architect bearing in mind that the building is destined to be used entirely for troops, workmen, etc.

In Cojutepeque a block of barracks is about to be erected, but active construction will be postponed until the water-pipes, which are now being laid to convey water to the city, have been completed. In San Miguel various additional defence works have been executed at the existing barracks, while others have been commenced, the Government having resolved to make San Miguel a strongly fortified town. New military stables have been added to the cavalry barracks at Santa Ana; while in other Departments of the Republic a considerable number of important repairs and additions to military buildings have been completed.

From first to last the annual upkeep of the Salvadorean Army, including both equipment and maintenance, as well as the expenditure upon all the military educational establishments, payments for the services of the national steamer, contributions to volunteer regiments, reserve squadrons, etc., amounts to nearly $1,220,000; and taking the whole of this expenditure for both War and Marine, the total disbursement for the year 1908-09 stood as follows: