( This is a chapter from the above work that I believe is relevant ) CHAPTER V THE ARMY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE BY LAND BUDGET The latest military and naval budget may be obtained from the Statesman's Year-Book. For 1911-12 it amounted to $21,667,206 ( Mexican ) WAR DEPARTMENT The War Department of Mexico forms one of the executive departments of the Government, whose head is a cabinet minister. This minister, while not required to be an army officer has, up to the present time, always been one. The general powers and limitations of this department are similar to those of our own War Department, and its relations to other executive departments and to military bureaus of States, Provinces, and colonies are the same as exist in our country. The navy department is combined with the war department under one head. The relations of the minister of war and marine to the Executive, to other ministers and to the chief of staff, are practically the same as in our own country. THE ARMY IN GENERAL The (paper) reorganisation of the Federal (regular) army was made in the spring of 1913, and has since been modified by numerous orders and decrees which have rendered the subject confusing and doubtful as to it's present status. The organisation, exclusive of State troops, probably consists of: The staff, which comprises division and brigade commanders and brigadier generals. The tactical corps, infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers. Technical corps, comprising the general staff, ordnance corps, constructing engineers and signal troops. The special service corps, including sanitary, invalid, administrative, judge advocate, military police, reserve and recruit-depot corps. The first, second and third reserve corps, whose composition will be discussed under the head of "Reserves". MILITARY SUBDIVISION OF COUNTRY The old military zones, covering different parts of the country, were suppressed on March 21, 1913. Instead there are to be mobile army divisions, with headquarters in, or near, the old centres of zones. Theoretically the Mexican Army is organised into six divisions, stationed as follows; Eastern Division - Puebla to Vera Cruz Western Division - Guadalajara to Manzanillo Southern Division - Chilpancingo, Guerrero, to Acapulco Northern Division - Chihuahua to Ciudad Juarez Peninsular Division - Merida to Progresso Bravo Division - Monterey to Nuevo Laredo The tactical divisions theoretically consist of; 2 Infantry Brigades of 2 Regiments each, 7,360 enlisted. 1 Cavalry Brigade of 2 Regiments, 1,236 enlisted 1 Regiment of Artillery, 1,142 enlisted 1 Company of Sappers, 11 officers, 186 enlisted 1 Section of Telegraphists, 6 officers, 156 enlisted Total 10,080 enlisted 1 Divisional Ambulance service 1 Field Hospital 1 Section Military Police 1 Divisional Ammunition Train, the artillery section carrying 94 rounds for each piece and the infantry section carrying 64 rounds for each rifle. 1 Engineer Train, carrying pontoon, mining and sapping equipment. 1 Division Transport Train, carrying four days' subsistence. The Infantry soldiers carry 150 rounds of ammunition on the person, 40 on the Company mules, 40 on the Battalion mules; total of 230 with regiment. The Batteries carry 159 rounds per gun and 94 in the ammunition train, total of 253 rounds per gun. Theoretically the number of Infantry Regiments is 35, Cavalry Regiments 19 and Artillery Regiments 10. 40 Corps of Guides Cavalry organised from the former Rural Guards, strength of 400 enlisted men in each. With these units taken at their war strength the Mexican Army would consist of 64,400 Infantry, 11,742 Cavalry, 11,420 Field Artillery (360 guns),and 16,000 Guides Cavalry, a total of 103,563 enlisted men. In September, 1913, it was announced by the ad interim President, General Huerta, that the Army consisted of 182 Generals, 1,081 Field Officers, 5,537 Officers and 84,985 men, with 23,071 horses and 10,409 mules. These figures probably are accurate in so far as the whole military establishment is concerned. It is doubted, however, whether the total of combatant forces in the field exceeds 65,000 men. Actually no attempt is made in the Mexican Army to use tactical divisions as such. The various detachments of troops operating in the Republic are composed of varying proportions of the three arms and seldom exceed a force of from 5,000 to 6,000 men in any one place. Due to the fact that the wheeled transportation is very limited and defective, operations away from the railroads with a force of any size are very difficult and consequently operations are confined to railroad lines for the most part. A commissariat, as we understand it, does not exist. The soldiers upon coming into the army bring their women with them. These obtain their food, cook it and carry rations and camp equipage from place to place. These women are called "soldaderas". The result is that for every soldier with the colours there is an equal number of camp followers that have to be fed. GENERAL STAFF On October 24, 1913, the following decree was issued reorganising the General Staff; Art. 1. The General Staff of the Army will be composed of Generals of Division, Generals of Brigades and Brigadiers, and will be divided into two classes, the first of which will comprise those of the Permanent Militia and the second those of the Auxiliaries. Art. 2. Generals of Division will always be from the Permanent Militia. Generals of Brigade and Brigadiers may be from the Auxiliaries in the proportion of 1 to 3 to those from the Permanent force. Art. 3. The General Staff will be divided into 3 sections. The first will be known as that of command and active detail (comisiones activas), the second that of detached detail (comisiones pasivas), and the third that of availability. Art. 4. The Generals of these three categories will receive the same compensation - that of the active service. Art. 5. Generals on the retired list will form the reserve and will only be called into service in case of war with a foreign power, and they will then receive the pay to which entitled by regulations. Art. 6. The number of Generals included in the Army will be: 14 Generals of Brigade for command and active detail. 6 Generals of Division for detached detail. 45 Generals of Brigade, permanent. 15 Generals of Brigade, auxiliary. 45 Brigadier Generals, permanent. (Generales Brigadieres) 15 Brigadier Generals, auxiliary. Generals not holding command or commission will remain in the third section. In time of war, and as a result of the same, there may be a greater number, owing to promotions for distinguished service. Art. 7. When the personnel of the General Staff is greater than that provided for in the preceding article the following means will be taken, in time of peace, for it's reduction: Promotion to Division officer (divisionario) will be made only when 2 vacancies in the grade occur. In like manner promotion to the grade of General of Brigade or Brigadier, will be made only when there are 3 vacancies in said grade Art. 8. Generals of the Auxiliary Militia may be retired when it is so ordered by the Department of War and Navy, and may only return to the service when authorised by the Department. An exception is made of those who have rendered services so unusual as to entitle them to special consideration; and those who have served at least 10 years with a body of troops are also exempted from such retirement. Art. 9. General officers will not be called upon to make deposition before any Military Prosecutor or Judge as witness and will make their statements by certified report. Exception is made, however, in cases where the latter functionaries are of equal or higher rank, in which event the former must appear and make deposition. Art. 10. The General Staff, being the highest body of the army, will have its own officers for the holding of meetings, general and special, and it will be directly under the Secretary of War. All laws and regulations in conflict, in whole or in part, with the present decree are annulled. I therefore order that this decree be published, circulated, and put into effect. OFFICERS There is a noticeable difference between those officers who have been promoted from the ranks (of non-commissioned officers) and those who have graduated from the military school at Chapultepec (Colegio Militar). This school is provided with all the requisites of a higher military educational establishment. In order to raise the standard of those who have not been educated in this school, the school for officers was established at Tlaplam several years ago, but was discontinued during the present year. Promotion of officers takes place by the individual arm and in order of seniority, while officers are retired only in case of disability or by a decision of the highest court-marshal. The Mexican officer is courageous, quick of decision and very modest in his mode of life. ENLISTED MEN The enlisted man, as a rule, is recruited from the lowest and roughest classes of the community. Although the laws of the country call for conscription, the enlisted strength of the army is recruited from among the minor offenders in prisons. Such a man can hardly be expected to evince any great interest in his personal appearance, in his carriage, or in his dress. Although he slouches along, he really is an indefatigable campaigner and can endure more fatigue than many a hardened European veteran. He can live upon less and march farther under a tropical sun in one day than many a Northern or Western man could do in two. By Presidential decree of General Huerta, universal obligatory military service was to be introduced in Mexico beginning June 1, 1913. INFANTRY By Presidential decree, May 30, 1913, the Infantry was organised into Regiments composed of the following elements: REGIMENT, PEACE FOOTING Eight Companies, each composed of; Field and Staff 1 Colonel 2 Corporals ( HQ Clerks ) 1 Lieutenant Colonel (chief of supply) 4 Corporals ( Supply Dept. ) 2 Majors (Battalion Commanders) 2 Corporals ( Batt. HQ ) 1 Captain ( Adjutant ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Armourer ) 1 2nd Captain ( Supply Officer ) 1 Corporal ( Armourer ) 1 Sub-Lieutenant ( Supply Officer Aid ) 4 Farriers and Armourers 4 Sub-Lieutenants ( Assistants ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Transport ) 1 1st Sergeant ( Band ) 2 Corporals ( Transport ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band ) 12 Teamsters 2 Corporals ( Band ) 40 Musicians 1 2nd Sergeant ( HQ Clerk ) 88 Draft and Pack Animals 1 2nd Sergeant ( Supply Dept. Clerk ) Machine-gun detachment of 4 guns 1 Lieutenant 12 Pack Mules 1 Sub-Lieutenant 1 2nd Sergeant ( Transport ) 2 2nd Sergeants 2 Corporals ( Transport ) 4 Corporals 12 Soldiers ( Transport ) 12 Gunners Mounted Detachment 1 2nd Sergeant 12 Soldiers 2 Corporals 15 Horses 1 Captain ( 1st or 2nd ) 18 Corporals 3 Lieutenants 1 Corporal (Guidon Bearer) 3 Sub-Lieutenants 6 Buglers 1 1st Sergeant 90 Privates (5 per Squad) of these, 6 are litter bearers, 4 are directors and assistants to litter bearers. 1 2nd Sergeant ( Assistant to 1st Sgt. ) 8 2nd Sergeants The first 4 Companies form the 1st Battalion and the last 4 Companies the 2nd Battalion. 1 Base Company, composed of; 1 1st Sergeant 9 Soldiers 1st Class 9 2nd Sergeants 45 Privates 9 Corporals To this Company will be assigned a Supply Captain and Sub-Lieutenant, aide to the Supply Captain, and any additional necessary officers who may be taken from Companies already officered or from Field and Staff Officers. Total for Regiment on a peace footing 65 Company Officers 15 Horses 1,196 Other Ranks 100 Mules The Regiment will pass to a war footing by increasing the Squads to 10 privates each. The Base Company will be increased to the same effective strength as the others and will be the reserve of the Regiment. By these means the Regiment will be increased to 1,840 men on a war footing, exclusive of the base company. The Infantry is armed with the Mauser rifle, model 1903 and machine-guns of various types, principally the Vickers-Maxim. CAVALRY The Cavalry Regiment consists of the following: Field and Staff 1 Colonel 1 1st Sergeant ( Saddler ) 1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Armourer ) 1 Major 1 Corporal ( Armourer ) 1 1st Captain ( Adjutant ) 2 Armourers 1st Class 1 2nd Captain ( Supply Officer ) 1 Apprentice Armourer 2 Sub-Lieutenants ( Assistants ) 1 Corporal ( Transport ) 5 1st Sergeants ( Farriers ) [ 1 per troop and 1 for the Field, Staff and Base troops ] 6 Teamsters 30 Musicians 1 2nd Sergeant ( HQ ) 1 1st Sergeant ( Trumpeter ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Supply Dept. ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Trumpeter ) 2 Corporals ( Supply Dept. ) 1 Corporal ( Trumpeter ) Detachment for 4 automatic Madsen rifles 1 Lieutenant 4 Corporals 1 Sub-Lieutenant 12 Troopers 1 1st Sergeant 12 Mules 1 2nd Sergeant Mounted Pioneers 1 2nd Sergeant 42 Mules 2 Corporals 86 Horses, for Field and Staff Officers 10 Troopers 4 Troops ( Squadrons ), each composed of 1 1st Captain 4 Trumpeters 1 2nd Captain 2 Apprentices 3 Lieutenants 72 Troopers ( 6 per Squad ) [ of these 4 will be litter bearers and assistants ] 3 Sub-Lieutenants 1 1st Sergeant 6 2nd Sergeants 97 Horses 12 Corporals 1 Base Troop, composed of 1 1st Sergeant 36 Troopers 1 2nd Sergeant 49 Horses 6 Corporals The 2nd Captain of Supply will be assigned to command the base troop. One 2nd Captain of Supply and such other Regimental Officers as may be necessary will be assigned to the base troop. Total Regiment on peace footing 3 Field Officers 38 Troop Officers 523 Other Ranks 539 Horses, of which 16 are for the purpose of replacing the sick or disabled horses, and 54 are draft or pack animals. The Regiment will be put on a war footing by increasing the Squads to 9 men and horses, and the base troop will be increased to the same effective strength as the others and will be the reserve of the Regiment. By these means the Regiment on a war footing will consist of 618 men, without counting the base troop. The Cavalry is armed with the Mauser carbine, model 1903; a revolver, calibre .38 and a sabre. FIELD ARTILLERY Field Artillery, on a peace footing, consists of a Field and Staff Corps, and 4 Batteries of 6 guns each. Upon passing to the war footing 2 additional batteries of 6 guns each are added. The Regiment on a war footing consists of: Field and Staff 1 Colonel 1 1st Captain ( Adjutant ) 1 Lieutenant Colonel 2 Sub-Lieutenants (Ast. Adj.) 1 Major 8 Gunners ( enlisted men ) 6 Batteries, each composed of 1 1st Captain 6 Guns 1 2nd Captain 9 Caissons 4 Lieutenants 1 Forage wagon 2 Sub-Lieutenants 1 Battery wagon 189 Gunners ( enlisted men ) 2 Transport wagons Fighting Battery 6 Guns 3 Caissons A Battery Reserve 6 Caissons 1 Battery wagon 1 Forage Wagon Total for Regiment on a war footing 3 Field Officers 36 Guns 45 Battery Officers 54 Caissons 1,142 Other Ranks The material consists of 80 millimetre Mondragon guns, 75 mm. St. Chamonde - Mondragon, 75 mm. Canet. With the exception of the 80 mm. guns, these are modern in every respect. There are about 50 x 80 mm. guns and 200 x 75 mm. guns on hand. In addition, contracts have been let for 148 75 mm. guns, 30 x 80 mm. mortars and 60 x 70 mm. mountain guns; a total of 238 in addition to the guns now in the Army. Draft animals used by the Artillery are wretched. They consist largely of small mules in poor condition. Except for short distances, the general rule is to make all Artillery movements by rail. At times some of the 70 mm. mountain guns are taken away from the railways, but the 75 mm. seldom and the 80 mm. very seldom. Theoretically the use of indirect fire has been introduced throughout the Mexican Artillery service, but as a matter of fact neither officers nor men have made much headway in conforming to this system. In 1912 in the long-range artillery engagements in Chihuahua and during the more recent short-range artillery practice in the street fighting of Mexico City the shooting was all done by direct laying. Both in Chihuahua and in Mexico City the practice was very poor. The total casualties among the rebels after an all-day bombardment by 20 guns at the Battle of Bachimba ( July 3, 1912 ) are known to have been 14 dead. This included the casualties from rifle fire! Throughout the 10 days' bombardment of the National Palace in February, 1913 ( over 1,000 shots ), not a single shot burst in graze. All exploded either short of the range or high up in the air. The palace itself was not even hit. OTHER ARTILLERY Besides the guns from the naval vessels which could be taken ashore for use in an emergency there are 4 Batteries of Heavy Artillery, with 16 guns, at coast ports. FORTRESSES Although there are some very old fortifications at Vera Cruz and Acapulco, Salina Cruz may be said to be the only fortified city in Mexico. It's armaments consists of 4 guns of medium calibre (5.9), and although plans have been provided for the mounting of 2 large calibre (9.2) seacoast guns there is no present information to the effect that either of the latter have been mounted. ARTILLERY MATERIAL Artillery material has been given under headings "Field Artillery" and "Other Artillery". All artillery ammunition is purchased abroad, but steps have been taken to manufacture it at home. SPECIAL TROOPS President's Guard (Guardia de la Presidencia), consisting of 5 officers and 100 men and the Army Police (Gendarmeria del Ejercito), consisting of 8 officers and 113 men. These special organisations are always kept at full strength and their personnel is of a higher and more efficient class than the rest of the army, with the exception of the Zapadores (Engineers). ENGINEERS 2 Battalions of Sappers ( Zapadores ): Total officers 60, total enlisted 1,346, aggregate 1,406. The same remarks apply to this Battalion as to the special cavalry organisations, although at present the enlisted strength only amounts to about 800. MACHINE-GUNS It is the general custom in the Mexican service when troops take the field to attach, when possible, guns to each Battalion of Infantry or smaller independent command. MILITARY SCHOOLS The following are the Military Schools: The Military Cadet College at Chapultepec ( Colegio Militar ) City of Mexico. The object of the institution is to educate young men as officers of the army, especially for Ordnance, Engineers and the General Staff Corps. This institution has been divided into three parts - the Preparatory Military School, the Professional Military School and the Superior School of War. The first is for the education of subordinate officers of infantry, cavalry and artillery, the second is to supplement the instruction acquired in the Preparatory School and to specialise in the technique of the various arms, the last is for the purpose of developing General Staff Officers. In addition, officers are obtained for the Mexican Army by admitting young men into the ranks as cadets for instruction and are commissioned after a minimum period of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months' service. The National School of Artillery and Musketry Fire ( Escuela Nacional de Tiro ), located in the district of San Lazaro, an eastern suburb of the capital. The object of the institution is; 1. To secure uniform instruction throughout the army in the most efficient and effective use of firearms (field artillery, rifle, pistol). 2. To control the systematic and uniform range practice of the various organisations. 3. To conduct the necessary ordnance tests and experiments. 4. To impart the necessary knowledge of metallurgy and the preparation and use of explosives in making demolition's. The Naval School of Cadets, for supplying the officers of the Navy, located at Vera Cruz. In addition, various petty service schools are maintained for the instruction of officers and enlisted men. MANEUVERS AND TRAINING Before the outbreak of the Madero revolution in 1909 and 1910 there were field artillery and cavalry manoeuvres on a small scale in the former year and in the latter of all arms, at the Colegio Militar, modified to omit the usual practice marches. Since then, of course, the army has been practically on continuous field service ( 1913 ). MOBILIZATION PLANS The Army is mobilized for war by expanding the units. RESERVES The first reserve is said to consist of 20,000 men exclusive of State troops and includes the following classes; Officers of the regular army in reserve The municipal police of Federal District and Territories State troops and the rural and municipal police of States Customs, revenue and frontier police Other armed forces not belonging to the regular army not included in any of the above-mentioned classes, but who are in the pay of the Government. The second reserve is said to consist of 160,000 men and comprises the following classes; The National Guard of the several States Officers of the regular army held in reserve who may be assigned to the first and second reserves at the discretion of the Secretary of War A special class of citizen qualified for appointment as 2nd Lieutenants ESTIMATE An estimate of the federal Mexican forces now in the field ( December 1913 ) indicates that the federals have as available field forces about 65,000 troops of all classes and 250 guns. Insurgents of various classes have about an equal number, more or less organised, according to locality and commanding officers and about 60 guns of various types. RURALES Due to the fact that a large part of the Rural Guard has been actively co-operating with the army since 1910, this part has been transferred to the army and organised into Corps, called Guides Cavalry ( Cuerpos Exploradores ), under the Minister of War. Each Corps consists of about 15 officers and 400 men and there are supposed to be 40 such Corps. The Interior Department retains jurisdiction of about 10,000 Rural Guards that are distributed all over Mexico in isolated detachments, according to the needs of the various places. It is believed that the efficiency of Rural Guards has diminished since the removal of Porfirio Diaz from power. The Interior Department also has general jurisdiction over local militia, or home guard, in the various States. These are said to number about 30,000. DISCIPLINE AND MORALE The Mexican private is usually an Indian. He is disciplined and corrected by his officers as a child. As far as concerns the conscientious obedience of orders and the avoidance of acts considered breaches of discipline, the discipline of the Mexican soldier has been uniformly reported as excellent. The term, however, is not used in it's comprehensive sense, including a systematic training. The Mexican Army has little or no target practice and very little instruction of any kind and as it becomes extremely excited in simple manoeuvres, it would probably become much more so in war. It's fire discipline may therefore be assumed as poor. The expenditure of ammunition is reckless and there is a strong tendency on the part of the men to fire away all small-arms ammunition at the first opportunity. In the Artillery, ammunition is wasted in searching fire to locate the enemy instead of locating him by the proper reconnaissance of the other arms. It is needless to dwell on their wonderful marching qualities. - 33 - MILITARY COURT Under normal conditions military courts are convened in accordance with the Military Code of Mexico and their proceedings are regulated by that code. The administration of military justice is superintended by the department of justice, archives and library, a bureau of the Ministry of War and Marine. It's personnel consists of 1 Colonel and 7 subordinate officers, with a number of clerks and messengers. In times of public disturbance the proceedings of military courts are exceedingly summary and their sentences are carried out without delay. In some cases it is known that the accused has not been allowed to appear before the court at all. MEDICAL SERVICE The paper organisation of the Medical Department is elaborate. The following extract from a letter of an American who accompanied General Huerta's army in the northern campaign las year shows what in campaign the department really amounts to; There being no medical corps and medical officers being temporarily employed, the medical attendance called for appeared to be given at the Red Cross, White Cross and Blue Cross tents. Two box cars were also arranged with beds. 4 ambulances and a number of litters, of exactly the same type as in our Army, were used. Wounded and sick were promptly shipped to hospitals at either Torreon or Jimenez. These hospitals were operated by the relief societies. The dead were buried at points where death occurred. RATIONS There is no authorised ration in the Mexican Army, the men providing their food from their daily pay. The wives of soldiers and other women, "soldaderas", habitually accompany troops even in field service. They usually, either singly or in groups, proceed a command and by theft or purchase not only provide, but cook the man's meals as well. The women are wonderful foragers and if there is anything in the country the army is certain to have food. Organisations travelling by train carry no food, but depend on individual purchases through car windows from the women who meet trains at stations. UNIFORM In campaign the uniforms are so varied that no description is possible. Some Regiments are uniformed in blue denim coats and trousers, others in linen and still others in a light-weight cotton material of slate colour. The blue denim is the most serviceable. The head-dress consists of a helmet with a coat of grey paint, woollen caps, straw hats, felt hats of the Mexican type and a hat resembling our campaign hat. Some shoes are worn and many "huaraches" or sandals. Sole leather and thongs for the construction of the latter are peddled along the column by dealers. Volunteers and Rurales have frequently no uniforms, but wear the colours of the Republic - Green, White and Red - in the form of a bow of ribbon on the lapel or a ribbon hatband. A overcoat, blanket or serape is generally carried by each man. PAY Pay per month in the Mexican money in time of peace; Major General $ 600. Brigadier General 400. Colonel 300. Lieutenant Colonel 200. Major 180. Captain 150. Lieutenant 100. Sub-Lieutenant 85. NCO 60. Privates 30. [ not listed are 2nd Captains and 2nd Lieutenants, plus the various NCO grades. T.D.H. ] When in garrison the non-commissioned officers and privates are paid daily and in campaign every 10 days. They provide their own food. In campaign the pay is increased. FORAGE There is no dependable supply of forage in the country and interruption of railway traffic causes the small supply on hand to run up to prohibitive prices. ARENALS The national cartridge factory is located at Casa Mata, Chapultepec and is reported to have a capacity of making 25,000 cartridges for the Mauser rifle and carbine per day, of 10 hours. All original Remington and Winchester ammunition is bought in open market. The powder factory is located at Santa Fe, 3 miles southwest of Chapultepec and is reported to furnish all powder required for the Mauser rifle. The powder manufactured is that used in the Mauser rifle only. The small-arms factory at the citadel in Mexico City is simply an assembly plant for Mausers. The so-called artillery factory at Chapultepec is merely a repair shop and caisson factory. PRISONS The national military prison for the confinement of military convicts whose sentences do not exceed two years is located in Mexico City. All military convicts with sentences in excess of two years are sent to the prison of San Juan de Ulloa, in the harbour of Vera Cruz. LAND TRANSPORT Such land transport as the Mexican Army has is confined almost exclusively to pack animals, supplemented recently by a varied lot of carts and wagons. WATER TRANSPORT Mexico has 2 transports the "Progreso" and "General Guerrero". The latter has a displacement of 1,800 tons and can carry 600 men and 45 animals. AERONAUTICS An Aeronautical Corps of 31 officers has been organised from former students of the defunct school for military aspirants ( Escuela Militar de Aspirante ). These studied in Europe and are now stationed in the vicinity of Mexico City and are said to have 20 aeroplanes of various makes, principally of European manufacture. As yet they have not been sent out with the field force, but are expected to go soon. CHAPTER VI THE NAVY AND NAVAL RESOURCES The Mexican Navy, such as it is, is the marine branch of the War and Marine Department, commanded by a Commodore under the Secretary of War and Marine. Strength; 181 officers, 956 other ranks. The organisation consists of; The Naval School at Vera Cruz. National Arsenal and Torpedo School at Vera Cruz. Marine section at Vera Cruz. Flotilla de la Ascension, Vigia Chico, Quintana Roo. Flotilla del Sur, Payo Obispo, Quintana Roo. Floating dry dock ( 1,500 tons capacity ), Vera Cruz. Shipyard, Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Shipyard, Guaymas, Sonora. The few vessels which compose the Navy are destined for purposes of instruction, patrol duty and transport service. These vessels are the corvette "Zaragosa", the gunboats "Bravo", "Morelos", "Tampico" and "Vera Cruz" and the transports "Progreso" and "General Guerrero". The batteries on the vessels are as follows; "Bravo" 2 x 4 inch guns, 6 x 6 lbs, 1 x 14 inch torpedo tube, bow above water. "Progreso" 4 x 4 inch guns. "Zaragosa" 6 x 4.7 inch guns, 2 x 6 lbs, 2 x 1 lbs, no torpedo tubes. "Vera Cruz" 2 x 4 inch guns, 6 x 6 lbs, 1 x 14 inch torpedo tube, bow above water. "General Guerrero" 6 x 4 inch guns, 2 x 3 lbs. "Morelos" same as "Bravo". "Tampico" same as "Vera Cruz" While it is not probable the vessels would be used in a war with a first-class power, the guns could be removed for coast defence against landing parties. "Democrata", "Independencia", "Libertad" and "Yucatan" are hulks and of no fighting value. 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