The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-09-06
THE GERMAN ARMY.
THE CROUcHING TIGER READY ON
HE FRENCH FRONTIER LINE.

Tuning Out tho Men at All Hours OF
Night rs If War were Actually Do
clared-Noblemen rs Privates-Extra-
ordinary System.
Once inside the city of Metz you find
discipline, hard work and the results of a
perfect military system. Fully half the
people you see on the streets ore soldiers.
In the city of Metz to-day there are $4,000
men. Along the frontier, in positions
where they can be Concentrated upon the
border within twenty-four hours, there
arc oyer 20O,C men. In time of peace
{ on -" T Of - lc'.-o r number q
. } IL d: -1v..: r;>I... such III. ..-..
:c-lnai ~uu~to"r v'>,.:G .iriI = rvs;l,.
l;r21se, i;i,ncss and G.,-,la.to"> ~,
to-" is nothing oG the sort 10 i:@ seen aI
I.cta. The rlc:i are tCn constantly 1ccu-
r:cl. TIL private soldiers are turned out
at p'cloc31 in the morning. 1t is d-ii!,
drill cror. morning till right. The men
ere marched and Contaminated. They
are exercised in every form of evolution
which could be employed in actual war.
The officers are constantly securing the
country hunting up new difficulties to
teach their men to overcome by prelimi-
nary drill. Such discipline, such subor-
dinatiOn, do not think was ever sur
passed in any army. The officers wear
their uniforms constantly. 1t is a 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 hOspitalities. They never make
calls or accept invitations, except among
themselves. There is very little entertain
ing even amol.4t the officers on the border.
They arc too CcoIpicd with their military
duties, in the pertccting Of this tremcn-
dOus military machine which each day
grows more aid more Formidable.
The perfection Of tho discipline Of tho
German army Gun CHly he tnderstOod hr
witnessing it's actnal operation. TO begin
with, the private soldiers are thoroughly
trained physically, rs we'll as in the men
tai details of the military profession. They
are ell accomplished gymnasts Although
tic men in many Of the regiments are #
n.ttlium size tEey look strong, hardy and
fesolute. The German army is perfectly
dem1cratic in the placing of its men. The
sons of the beSc families, who wish merely
to serve their three years term, have to
begin in the ranks as common soldiers.
| Those who wish to adopt the army is n
profession are placed in special schools.
| and according TO the examinations they
IRE placed In correspendipgly better posi-,
ton than those who are merely serving
their three years term. But when once
a man enters the army his private social
position is absolutely ignored. l heard
when was in Metz of a son of a most
distinguished family being called upon to
do his three years service. His head
gardener, who was called out ct the same
time and who had previously 81 rved, %hs
Eital his old position as serge ant. The
young nob!cman was placed ir the ranks
as a private and under the c. snmand Of
his servant, the gardener. TIC very first
dar Of his service the privates Of his COM
pany were tt"t to wheeling dart for some
breastworks. The sergeant Could TO!
bear to see his masters son engaged IL:
this mental work and tnck eff his coat are
did lis share for him, but ii.is fifrp!y re-
suited in the punishment Of the sergeant
for a breach of discipline
The respect which q subordinate must
pay 70 his superior extends throughout
every hour and minnie of the Gay. Nhc"-
eyee the subordinate meets his superior in
rank he must extend to him the same ,E;,
Ga. recognition of this superiority that
be would exhibit upon the actual parade
ground. The first Night Of my arrival III
Metz 1 was dining at the table d'hotc,
when heavy, thick set German officer
entered the room. A slight, aristocratio
looking German officer, also in uniform,
was leisurely eating his dinner end talk
ing with friend when this officer entered
t:le ROOM The moment the latter entered
The young officer stood up from the table
AID salutcd. He stood with bis hand ut
tie side of his head in the attitude 1T
salute until the advancing officer returned
the salute and told him politely to Sit
G.75-n. I'll the particular r:'>.t ;;ft"T~