suppression of forced levies was applauded as in true consonance with republican institutions; yet so slow was the response of recruits that conscription had finally to be reintroduced in 1852,[1] for up to that date less than half of the required 10,000 of regular troops had been enrolled.[2] It required further reforms and time to restore the prestige of an institution injured by decades of abuse; for a number of obstacles stood still in the way, such as the stay of promotion from the ranks, which prevented ambitious men, the most desirable for soldiers, from enlisting. The reason for this rule lay partly in the desire to obtain more scientifically trained men for the command, partly in the wish to give preference in this direction to the large number of officers retired from the army under the new pruning operations,[3] and to the aristocratic youth educated at the military college.[4] So loud were the protests against this exclusion of commoners that even the war minister joined in opposing it, but in vain.[5] Equally futile was the appeal from a host of neglected invalids, aged, disabled, or retired men and officers, who, under the sad condition of the finances, had to
- ↑ Regulation in decree of Feb. 28th. Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1852, 47-50. Preceding rules are found in Arrillaga, Recop., 1849, 90-1, 130-1, 148-9.
- ↑ The ministerial report of 1850 shows only 3,545 infantry and cavalry, Méx., Mem. Guer., 1850, doc. 10, while that of 1852, Id., 1852, doc. 12, has 4,400, or 5,320 short of the required 9,720, including officers. The total permanent army in 1850, including active militia, military colonists, and national guard paid by the federation, was 8,513, with a pay of $2,703,934, the total cost of the department for the year being $5,753,654. Id., 1851, docs 1-14.
- ↑ With two thirds pay. They numbered 839 at the close of 1849, and received $302,103 during the year. During the following year 81 more were retired, but 141 either died, withdrew, or were called into active service. Méx., Mem. Guer., 1850, 34, and doc. 22; 1851, 34.
- ↑ By decree of April 22, 1851, the college was assigned 16 guardians and instructors for 90 and odd alumni, at a cost of $54,748 a year, whereof the alumni were apportioned at the rate of $216 a year each. Four were to be annually sent to Europe. Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y Órd., 1850, 209-10, 302-3; Colegio Mil., in Pap. Var., cciii. pt 14. Yet the condition of finances caused the neglect of the college, and but for private aid it might have been closed.
- ↑ A decree of 1853 confirms the restriction issued in 1847 and 1849. Méx., Mem. Guer., 1850, 22, etc. Instances of arguments of protests in Ordoñez, Opús., 1-82; Pap. Var., ccxxiv. pt 9. Richthofen, Rep. Mex., 424, 442, etc., approves the limitation, as may be supposed, from his German views of discipline.
pt 1, ccxxiv. pt 8. See also detailed regulation of April 22, 1851, Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y Órd., 1850, 288–321, with subdivisions, pay, etc.
