Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-02-07
THE GERMAN ARMY.
Some Interesting Particulars Concerning
Its Discipline ON the Frontier.

Ats Discipiiho on tilc ErOutiers
Metz is one of the most strongly for
tilted cities in Europe. 1t is impreg-
nablo to.day against any Amy that
France could bring against it. have
been all around this city, and have
been able to pass along under the
Notifications, and to note their multi
plicity and strength. No civilian has
the right to ascend even one of tho
lowest batllcments. Only the most
trusted of the German superior 0fli-
GERS have tho privilege of moving
around freely through these breast
works. There are but few, even among
the German officers Mt Metz. who know
the exact character and extent of these
defonses. Metz is entirely surrounded
by tremendous walls of earth and ma
sonry, varying in thickness from thir-
ty to sixty feet. The principal wall
passes entirely around the town in nm
unbroken line, being pierced only Ly
passages which can be closed COM
plctely by massive steel gates. These
walls are strengthened by deep
moats. There are three moats passing
entirely around the city. These are
from twenty to thirty feet wide,
and are filled with water. III the
front of each moat is frieze of
jagged wood, and a hcdgerow of such
strength rs to make an impossible
barrier without cutting. The captur-
ing Of one line of Notifications could
only be done under the concentrated
FIRE of the forts in the neighborhood
and the further in-lying defenses. The
passing of one barrier would be mere
ly q beginning.
The great heights around M,tz are
covered with forts. There are nine in
the immediate neighborhood. The
greatest height is occupied by Fort
ST. Quentin. This is absolutely as
impregnablc as the heights at Ehren-
breitstein, on the Rhine. This fort
stands upon n high peak, which rises
alone from wide stretched
plain. The plain is undulating
and luXuriant in color. Tho
height rises abruptly from this.
rocky mass, as il it were specially
prepared ly the hand of nature for a
fortress to command tho pain. With
the tremendous armament attached to
this fort no army could approach
Metz from France without being ut
terly destroyed. unless ST. Quentin
could be first silencod OF cap
tured. 1t commands tho country to
the River Mosellc. Upon its right. be-
tween II and Metz. is the tremendous
fort of Friedrich Karl, and upon its
north is Fort P.appeville. In addition
TO these forts, which absolutely bar
the road leading to Germany, there is
no elevation near the city which is not
occupied by strong modern military
defenses.
Once inside the city you find dis
ciplinc. hard work. and the results of
perfect military system. Fully half
the people you see on tho streets are
soldiers. In the city of M,tz to-day
there are twenty-six thousand men.
Along the frontier, in positions where
they can be concentrated upon the
border within twenty-four hours, there
are two hundred thousand men. In
Metz private soldiers arc turned out
at four o clock in the morning. It is
drill, drill, from morning till night.
They are exercised in every form of
evolution which could be employed in
actual war. The officers wear their
uniforms constantly. 1t is breach of
discipline, and of the most serious char
acter, for them TO appear in public
in civilian dress. These officers have
no time for social hosptalilics. They
arc too occupied with their military
duties, in the perfecting of this trc-
mendous military machine which each
day grows more and more formidable.
Tho perfection of the discipline of
tho German army can only be under-
stood by Witnessing its actual opera
tion. To begin with, the private
soldiers are thoroughly trained physic-
ally. as we'll as in the mental details
of the military profession. They are
all accomplished gymnasts. The Ger
man army is perfectly democratic in
the placing of its men. The sons Of
tho best families, who wish merely TO
servo their three years. term, have to
begin in the ranks as common soldiers
/ heard, when l was in Metz, of
young nobleman who was placed in
the ranks as private and under tho
command of his servant, gardener
Tho respect which q subordinate
must pay to his superior extends
throughout every hour and minute of
the day. The first night of my arrival
in Metz / was dining at the table
d'hotc, when heavy, thlck-set German
officer entered the room. A slight.
aristocratic-looking German officer,
also in uniform. was leisurely eating
his dinner and talking to q friend
when the officer entered the room.
The moment the latter entered the
young officer stood up from the table
and saluted. He stood with his hand
at the side of his head in the attitude
of salute, until the advancing officer
returned tho salute and told him po-
litely to sit down. In this particular
case afterward learned that the officer
superior in rank was former trades
man in the town where tho younger
officer. the only son of noble family,