At 11 o’clock the troops have to turn out and clean and brush down their horses until 11.30, at which hour lunch is served out; after which they are allowed to do as they like (except leave the barracks) till 1.30 p.m.; from 1.30 to 3 p.m. the troops are drilled on foot, and at 3 p.m.  “Mate-cocido” is served out; at 3.30 they have to attend class until 4.30 p.m., either on “Campaign Service,” “Military Duties or Laws,” or on the “Carabine or Sword”; every other day class is given on the different parts of a horse, and on how to look after and clean same.  From 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. there is revision and cleaning of arms.  At 5.30 dinner is served out, after which those who have leave are allowed out until 10 p.m., or in some cases until 4 a.m. next morning.

Those drawn for the Navy have to go through a preliminary course of training on shore before being sent on board the training ship “Sarmiento,” which every two years leaves Buenos Aires for a trip round the world, occupying, on an average, eighteen months.

There are certain allowances made for students, who at the age of nineteen are allowed to enlist in the 8th Cavalry, where they have to serve for three months.  At the end of this period they are put through a very severe examination, and should they pass, are promoted to the grade of Sub-Lieutenant of the Reserve, having to serve for a month every year in a regiment allotted to them.

The advantages of conscription are many.  It brings half-breeds from all parts of the Republic in touch with civilization, it teaches them obedience, respect for their superiors, and, above all, how to shoot.  After their year’s service they leave the barracks knowing a good deal more about things in general than when they entered them.

There is also the better class of lads to be considered.  Conscription teaches them a few things also, viz., to knuckle down (which is a great failing of the Anglo-Argentines), and be made to do things which they have not been accustomed to, clean out stable, etc., and look after their equipment properly, as anything they may happen to lose is deducted from their wages, which are very small, $5 per month.

The food in the Army is good and plentiful:  there is coffee in the morning on rising, a mid-day meal and dinner, which are usually similar, consisting of soup and “puchero” (a national dish made of beef and vegetables boiled), and an occasional dish of “pulenta” (boiled maize).

The general treatment in the barracks is good.  There are cases of miscarriage of justice and ill-treatment, but these are rare.  A conscript may have to suffer punishment although in the right, and is not allowed to protest his innocence against an officer until after he has completed his punishment.

ACROSS THE BOLIVIAN ANDES IN 1901.