The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-25
New Regulation Of Uniforms and
Conduct Of Troops Of the
Continent.
Old Soldiers Of Germany in the
Civil Service Ask for More
Pay.
French Army OfHcers-Commissions In
the German Army Go Isexging-Forti-
flying Denmark's Capital.

The uniforms of the German marines will
be altered shortly. SO that the neck and
chest, which have heretofore remained
bare, will be covered. rs is the case in other
navies. The object of the change is to pre-
vent illness among the recruits whose lungs
are not strong enough to endure the custo-
mary exposure.
The order Of the French minister Of war
that no French soldier should frequent sa-
LOOMS restaurants or hotels kept by for
eioners has been so generally violated by
officers and privates alike. that he has felt
Obliged to repeat it. with the added threat
that all offenders against it will from now
on be punished with the extreme penalty of
the law.
The German government has suspended
the manufacture Of the new repeating rife
with which the first five army corps and the
guard were furnished 1t turns out that it
is Il spitfire with the new powder. which
the barrel is unable to stand. and that it ia
dangerous to tho many who uses it. Many
PEOPLE think the bad gun barrel is q good
peace preserver.
The German Association of Old Soldiers,
with $4,000 members. has petitio1ed the
government greatly to increase the pen
sions of privates and lower officers who
have petty positions in the civil service.
The salaries of the positions in question are
80 small. it is gaid. that they do not COM
pensate the incumbent for the loss of pen
sion money incurred by taking them. This
is felt with special severity now, in conse.
quence of the rise i'll prices, which has
been exceptionally marked in Perrin and
cities of its class. the necessary places of
residence for government officials.
The French corps of infantry officers for
1891 will number 12,278 men. There are
$50 colonies. 1919 observation-disclosures. 1,Oi7
majors. 4l60 captains, 1861 lieutenants and
,$. Hhcrn
foreigners among the captains. fourteen
among the lieutenants and twenty-seven
among the second lieutenants. The TWEEN
ty-seven second lieutenants are men who
have distinguished themselves in regiments
abroad, and have been rewarded, after hav-
ing enjoyed their rank two years, by being
promoted to corresponding rank in the
reserves. The French army has the largest
corps of infantry officers of all tho armies
in the world.
Special measures are being taken in Ger
many to increase the number of officers in
the army. At present the scarcity of Off
GERS is unprecedentedly great. and especial
ly in the Prussian regiments. commits
sions have been going begging. All the
courses of instruction in the various mill
tary academies will be shortened SO that
there may be at least fifty ner cent. more
young officers turned out in the same length
Of time than are graduated at present.
and Hanover next February. ana at the
other schools in August. Examinations of
aspirants to commissions will not take
place. as heretofore, only at certain dates,
but will be held whenever ten candidates
can BE- got together S; Work on the build
pressed with all energy in order that it may
be opened next spring.
The German corps of mounted couriers
celebrated its 15Oth birthday two weeks ago
under the direction of Field Marshal Blu
menthal. its present commander. Next to
the Potsdam Grenadiers the couriers' corps
is the most characteristic body of men in
the German army. 1t was organized at the
beginning of the Silesian war by Frederick
the Great. and consisted originally of twelve
mounted foresters or hunters of special ed
ucation and experience. The corps has to-
day, besides its commander. three head
couritr rs with the rank of first lieutenant
and eiGhty-six privates The courier SER
vice in peace is done for the office Of foreign
lf'airs in Berlin by three head cou.iers and
twelve field courie:s,' as they are called.
The rest of the troop devotes itself to Civ
ing instruction in forestry at the military
academies, or in special studies. In war
times all are in active service.
The fertilization of Copenhagen is again
the question of the day in Denmark. The
government and a small party in the par
lament are for 1t, and an overwhelming
majority is against it, on the ground that
such II fertilization would arr use the en-
nity and suspicion Of Germany. The dis
cussion has created a considerable stir
among German military men. but no oppo-
sition to the plan of the Danish govern
ment. In fact, the opinions of Prussian
generals expressly favor the preparation Of
the Danish capital for 4 sturdy defense of
its neutrality. I've have got to have a
strong and independent Denmark said
Gen. Won I.oe. commander of the Eighth
German army corrs, recently, "ior if Den
mark should y owe unable TO defend her.
self the French. in case of war. would make
Copenhagen the base CT naval operations
in the Baltic. The country would be com
PEELED to ACCEPT an offensive and defensive
alliance with France. watch would make il
necessary for US to occupy Jutland and
Iunen." This end similar opinions ara
being used by the official Danish press &c
weaken the opposition to the fertilization
plan.