, 1874-07-29

be denied that the discipline does not gain by
the employment of the military outside of their
regular avocation. where they are not under
military command, but is the strict military
discipline absolutely necessary under present cir
cumstances, and cannot that which is necessary
be maintained, if even he be not for too long a
time, withdrawn from the military service ?
This service is indeed w~earying for the soldier
for 6 long years, during which time he is
excluded from other earnings than his by no
means euviable pay. The tone and humour
would be much better, if he had something else
to do and some extra earning, and drink
ing and other excuses would be less in pro-
portion to the increase of personal liberty.
If the military exercises were reduced to
what is strictly necessary,-to any thing great
they can never attain-the soldiers might be
employed
1 In the service of the Customs. This
service is not indeed best off by frequent
changes, but neither is it profitable for it that
there be too long time between the changes
of personnel, and it is opined that it is the
best that, if there be 4 at each Custom House,
one shonld be changed every 3 or 6 months.
2. La the Police Service. When the Police
has a permanently appointed Assistant and
writer at each station, the Policemen, Turnkey,
etc, could no DOUBT most suitably be recruited
from among the soldiers in such a manner that
3 to 6 months one was appointed, until the
required number was attained, after which
they could be changed one at a time. They
should not be reappointed even if ever SO
smart, but they must be abIe-as also those
in the Custom House-to give a written report.
The English necessary can soon be learned,
and even now it is considered by the soldier
a point OF honour to acquire it.
3. Writers, Stenographers, etc, could also
be taken from among the Military, if
they can be had, but they should also be
changed. For these purposes qualified civil
ans would, however, most likely be better.
4. Cooks, Sick Nurses, etc. could also be Sc
lected from among the soldiers, subject to the
same changes. When it is known that this
takes places at stated times suitable individu-
as wilt always be found, and they are at
all events, often changed now, perplexing the
physicians and purveyors, and yet experience
has taught me that it is better than to keep
them too long,
5. To carry the Post it has been found by
experience that the soldiers are well adapted,
but, as their pay ought to be somewhat larger,
so also ought they to be changed one at a time.
10 these different occupations the military
spirit will not be weakened, but will rather
be animated, as those concerned know that
good conduct is required to cOme into con-
sideration.
The soldiers would, by coming more in con-
tact with civilians become better suited for
oyerseers' posts and other like occupations,
for which the civilian population do not seem
to be Inclined.
Ia conclusion | would remark that a soldier
ought not to be allowed to serve a longer term
than 6 years. That is more than long enough
and capable of exercising such a bunting in
Auence over any one as to render him unfit
for anything else. A we'll deserving nom
co mmissioned officer ought, however, to form,
an exception, if anything suitable to him can
be found.
Copenhagen 90 June 1874.
b. KNUDSEN.