The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-23
HOW GERMAN SOLDIERS ARE TRAINED.

economy, 6n0 principles on Wn1cO the
machinery of war are created, organized,
and set In motion, are sufficiently well
known. But we are less thoroughly in
formed about the training of the private
soldier, about the processes by which a
raw recruit is transm O ted into an effective, /,
integral, and automatic unit of the com
psny and the battalion. 1t was just this
matter which q staff efacer 10 the Russian
army-Co'. Kaulbars-was sent to Ger
many to study, and upon which he has
lately published a report in q Russian
Official journal. The facts collected by him
have attracted much attention from the
French and English press, and a glance at
some of them may aid us to understand
the perfection of the German army as an
instrument of combat.
The striking point of the whole system
next to the rigorous application of uni
versal liability-is the short term of active
service. From this principle the axiom is
deduced that not q moment is to be wasted
in stage effects, the flourish and strut to
which SO much time is given in an English
barrack yard, the sole aim of training being
to promptly render the conscript an efd
cient soldier in the field. Of the many
divers ways, however, by which this con-
version of the inexpert civilian into she
accomplished combatant may be compass
ed, the special method chosen by the
instructor ls q matter of absolute indi6ar.
00C0 pEOVluSU Cu0 0uu Uo SJt4Iu0us 4 uO
degree of independence and responsibility
thus devolved upon the company COM
mander is another remarkable feature Of
German military education, To illustrate
the extraordinary freedom from 1Dterfer-
ence enjoyed by the trainer of raw material,
Col. Kaulbsrs cites the case of General
whom he heard express to q Captain strong
disapproval Of the latter's method. The
commander paid no attention to the
structure, and at the inspection of bis COM
pany, which took place presently, came
off with flying colors, whereupon the Gen.
eral owned his error and publicly con-
gratulated the Captain upon his superior
sagaclty. We are further told that some.
times two Csptsins of the came battalion
will be carrying out rival systems Of
training, their superior officers watching
both without the slightest intervention,
but leaving the question of fitness to the
result of the inspection.
The country needs supply of eoondiy
drilled, but not elaborately finished
soldiers, out of W bich to construct it's bat
talioos, regiments, etc, and to create these
unite is the Captain's work. Accordingly,
sbe recruit on jpining ia handed over to
the latter stick of green wood, Co he
returned at fxed date as plant. sea
soned, manufactured implement. Pro-
tions will go for nothing; the authorities
will look to results only, on which depend
the present standing and future advance.
ment of the manufacturer. But the Cap
tain, though responsible for the work, and
compelled to expend an immense amount
Of thought, anxiety, and trouble on
seemingly small field Of labor, is not the
executive the chief instructor is one of
his lieutenants, chosen by himself, the
other trainers being taken from among the
non commissioned oficers. 1t is the Cap
tain's duty, however, to teach these 1nstruc-
tors how to teach he has to provide not
only for drill, but musketry, gymnastics,
specialists in German barrack yard to
whom any part of the work is intrueted
the company officers do it all. In their
turn these subordinate instructore, once
chosen, enjoy substantial independence,
and faulty selection may therefore ruin
years work. From this judicious dietri-
button of responsibility it results that
nowhere in the world does awkward
squad" training receive such strenuous and
fruitful attention as in Germany.
From the time of recruits joining,
which takes place in November, an old
soldier or non-c commissioned off1cer ls told
on as his compulsory companion the con
script must deposit his money in the
Captains hands, and give this officer full
accounting in writing of his past life.
which, owing to the territorial system of
enlistment, can be easily verified. Worked
Du6 ngntly curing Che nreG IoW 0ayS, tue
recruit soon finds himself with little or no
time at his own disposal, not less than ten
hours q day being exscsed for drill and
instruction during the fourth week of SER
vice. This strenuous training goes on in
the hands of the Captain and his assistants
until the middle or end of February, when
the first authentic test of the recruit's
competence takes place. Throughout the
German army, says Col. Kaul6ars. the
inspection of the recruits forms one of the
most important events of military life,
exciting the hveliest interest, not only
among the officers of each regiment, but
of all officers in the garrison. It is con-
Quoted by the Colonel of the regiment, in
presence, however, of the General com
manding the army corps, and often of the
Emperor, and everything is carried oue
with the utmost precision and formRlisYs
There is nothing ssT5i5Ss % PeFfa1ctOTy q
these proceedings, ne is too eksan ths