THE GORGEOUS POLICE OF MADRID

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1928, Page 7

THE GORGEOUS POLICE OF MADRID

(By H. G. CARDOZO, in the London “Daily Mail.”) MADRID.

The Spaniard dearly loves a uniform, and in Madrid at least lie must be well content. Among the Calles and Avenidas, walking or riding, or else seated in front of one of the many clubs and cafes, officers can be seen by the score from early morning to late at night. Many of them, alas ! are now in the dull but serviceable khaki which the British Army has made so familiar the world over. But even then sword knot, epaulettes or aigulettes and cap bands of gold and scarlet relieve the drabness.

But the army is the backbone of Spain, and no Government, even in the old days of civil and parliamentary power, and much more so now, can afford to. slight or to ignore the body of officers.

The Madrid police are .puzzling at first sight. There seem to be so many of them and in such different uniforms. Some of them bear a vague resemblance to our Metropolitan police. They wear the same helmet and the same blue uniform, though on a smaller scale. But the Spanish love of colour has come in, W itli the result- that tills uniform is enlivened with pUl’ple and sib ver stripes, while a sword clunks on one side and a patent leather holster holds an automatic on the other.

Only the traffic police—and they appear painfully aware of the fact are restricted to a wooden baton. The civil guard, which is the national body of police, wear grey unilorins and strange cocked hats, which, when they show their broad white embroidery, look just like napkins folded to receive a roll.

Hotel attendants, club servants, and even cafe waiters sport uniforms of a variety of design and line rarely found elsewhere.

On Sunday the great square in old Madrid where the “auto da je ” used to be held is a kaleidoscope of all these uniforms, scarlet, green, khaki, blue, and purple. For it is on Sunday that the soldiers of the Madrid garrison, all of them from distant provinces, gather there to meet their village sweethearts or acquaintances, servants enjoying their Sunday afternoon off.

The Madrilenes have lately had their full share of gay-lined pomp, for two ambassadors, the British, Sir Geoige Grahame, and the Chilian have presented 'their credentials to King Alfonso.

Glittering escorts of cavalry trotting over sanded avenues, with curved salues drawn and tight blue jackets, precede the huge gilded court coaches of the ambassador and His staff, with their gold-braided running footmen on cither side. But when the British Ambassador proceeded through the crowded streets to the royal palace, I believe it was the kilts and bare knees of the military attache that the Madrid people admired most. Kilts always have a fascination of their own for the foreigner.