The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-07
The German Idea orso,aier,np

Readers of the late Mr.. Seniors photo
graphic renderngs OF conversations with distinguished
Frenchinen after the close of the Crimean war may
remember Gen. Canrobert's saying; ''Le Francois
est putOt guerrier que militaire.'' l am NOT pre-
pared TO enter into an Inquiry as to the Justice of this
remark In all its bearings. But IL must, | believe
be said OF the German that lie is plut0 militaire que
guerrier.' No one can have observed the soldiers
and officers who gained the victories of 1861 1860
1870 and 1871 without wondering at the total absence
from their ranks OF the genus sabreur. No love OF
war, not shadow of it, ever transpired, think, In
any oil the millions OF letters that home from the
campaigning crowds. Nor could any individual have
been found among the 60, 900 officers and about "a
million OF rank and he that successfully returned
from France. who would dwell with a light heart,
with compacency or JOY upon the deeds of prowess
In which they had passed those momentOus weeks or
months OF their lives The horrors OF war the scenes
Of blood into which they were thrown, remain con-
stanty before their eyes. To them kind of solemnity
hOvers over that period. None except the untriei
youth, whose Imagination may DO heated by dreams
OF rapid advancement, longs for war. on the other
hand, nothing can be evident than that this Is
essentially military nation. That vager who has
been exempted from service In the army win have a
poor chance OF finding partner at his krmesS or
other rural ball. The wel-to.do ycomen farmers
round about Berlin who do not intend their
sons TO go IN for learning take care
to have their names down for enrolment
as prvatas In some cavalry regiment of the guards
when stl In swaddliug clothes. have been assured
that such lads and there are hundreds OF Them cost
their parents as much as 1900 per annum when they
enter upon ordinary prvates. More popular
therefore, by far, and more highly educated than
ever, the army represents without rival the first
Parry when an attempt was made, not long after the
close OF the Franco German war, to curta the mill
tafy expenditure may serve an index to public
opinion The Liberal argument was plausible enough.
Had not the French milliards than suiiced to
replace all damaged or lost material OF war TO
strengthen all the iorlreSses OF the empire to Increase
the promising naval establishment Had not the mill
tary spirit In the nation shown Itself fully as bT liant
as eager and unilrng as the organization was per-
tectI Was not this the right the country
to show that 1t connded more in mind than In num-
hers! Well, the result of these honestly meant Liberal
attempts was as follows; Crowded meetings through
out the country, and prominently In towns known for
their small love for Berlin and IT'S government de-
cared III the most vOcferOus manner that no diminu-
tOn OF the national deienses be tolerated. stig-
maizlng as traitors those representatives of the
people who might contemplate any such changes.
warned by this furious and quite undoubtedly spou-
famous, popular movement, the advanced Liberals
nave otically Withdrawn from agiiaing for "a more
compendlOus aud economical army organic alton
Their efforts move In the direction of undertaking tbs
inordlhaie zeal now rampant for luxurious military
buildings ana similar exIravagances. Yet an opinion
Is faithfully upheld by them that with the Increase OF
popular education In the country, shortening of the
periods OF actual service VIII become more and more
feasible II is on these lines aud not through the
abolition OF universal service, that retrenChmens are
pTognoalcated for Germany. -B0ron oOa RunSsa IN
Tie FOrtaigktiy Review.