it,[1] the task was intrusted to the Austrian general, De Than, but with so little coöperation as to yield no results.[2] Maximilian never appreciated the army, and its discontent diminished both his estimation and faith, causing him to rely more and more on his Austrians, to the disgust of both Mexicans and French.[3] His neglect to increase the Mexican forces created not alone suspicion and ill-will, but obliged the defenceless towns from fear of retaliation to favor the Juarists, thus adding another strong encouragement for the guerrilla.[4]
While awaiting the result of the labor by different commissions engaged in projects for the reorganization of the public departments, Maximilian decided upon a tour into the interior, to present himself to the people and acquire personal knowledge of the country.
the organic law of the army, in Méx., Col. Ley. Imp., iv. 27 et seq.; also previous decrees, in Méx., Boletin Ley., 1864, 76-9, 198-9, 230-5; Id., May 164, 64-182, passim, bearing on pay, court-martial, etc., and forbidding the purchase by citizens of soldiers' arms and clothing, and the incorporation of prisoners of war into the army. The latter, so common a feature in Mexico, was afterward allowed. Forced levies being suppressed, as creating discontent and procuring poor soldiers, Bazaine recommended conscription; but Maximilian fearing that this would not answer in Mexico, with its castes and class feeling, the bounty system was used to some extent, especially with the rural guard, and also the demand for municipalities to supply a certain number of men. The new army was to embrace a legion of gendarmes, over 1.900 in number, of whom about half were to be French, at a high pay — an objectionable feature to Mexicans, as Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xvii. 819, observes. Additional sources for regulations and comments, in Hans, Quer., 18-24; Domenech, Hist. Mex., 153-79; Valle, Viagero Mex., 67-89; Diurio Imp., Jan. 12, 28, June 10, Sept. 9, Dec. 20, 26, 1865, etc.; Bullock's Mex., 264; Dur., Guardias Rur., 1-28; Arellano, Ley de 1865, 1-21, with charges against war minister; Pap. Var., ciii. pt 5. The navy also received attention, almost wholly on paper. Méx., Col. Ley. Imp., iii. 1-4, 27-38; Diario Imp., Nov. 22-7, 1865.
- ↑ Although he had both force and ability to do so, says a French officer, he confined himself to blaming the Mexican authorities for their opposition.
- ↑ The empress herself writes clearly on this point. See Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 284-5. The distribution of medals did not serve to conciliate them. Mex., Anuario Ordenes.
- ↑ In his Aus den Gefechten in Mex., Schonovsky shows that the large proportion of Austrians were raw and unreliable, including Poles, Hungarians, Ítalians, etc. Belgiaus formed a guard of honor to the empress. Bonnevie, Volont. Belges, 65-102. See also Diario Imp., Jan. 5, 19, 1865; Periód. Ofic., Nov. 10, Dec. 1, 1864.
- ↑ Republicans commented hopefully on this neglect, and on the resolution not to increase the stationary forces, thereby rendering sterile the victories achieved. 'Es un sueño imaginarse que bastarán 30,000 hombres,' says Iglesias, Revistas, iii. 235.
