The sun., 1890-05-12
THE EMPEROR AN ENIGMA.
JHE DISAPPOIH TED PROPHETS NOW
QUESTION BIS SANITr.

Powder Makes In Military TRctics-BIs-
Harck BesioGed with Applications for
the Publication of HE Memoirs.
O'TIrtOhL 1850 " THu sUN Printing ana PubtHhtn7
AHocidtton
BERLIN May ll.-When the German En-
peror came to the throne all the congregation
OF press prophets shouted with one accord that
he was bent upon war and that Immediately.
War did not come. but congress for the dis
cussion OF workingmens needs was held in
Berlin. at which the alleged flrebrand Kaiser
labored as hard rs the most enthusiastic of
the delegates. At this unexpected con-
duct there was no other course open
to tho disappointed professional prophets
hut to forthwith cabie to the ends OF
the earth that fears we're enter aimed
for the Emperors sanity and that a general
disarmament was to be looked for. Neither
view has any foundation and reflects but the
dislike OF all things German prevailing in Eng
land, dislike that is no greater than the
Englishman's ignorance OF Germany.
We have good reason for holding the view
that Germany has no idea OF reducing her
military establishment by a single battery or
battalion. at least II the Emperor knows his
own mind The most unpopular man in Ger
many tomorrow would be the one TO propose
weakening OF Germany's fighting forces
Not that Germans love to pay war taxes or
desire to encourage the false notions OF per-
sonal merit that are fostered by large mill
tRry caste. but every child OF the Fatherland
believes that tho material and political develop
ment OF his country is directly product of the
nations power to protect herself against auy
two OF her hostile neiGhbors. and ho is no moro
disposed to quarrel with his war budget than
We with the cost OF an efficient police force,
Where will It all end is question often and
RAriOusly Ask mRraly nv liharala in ppl-
itics, but also by men near the throne and
responsible fo- Government departments. No
one can tell Just now. Some must 20 into
bankruptcy soon. but the German phosoph-
ically reflects that he can stand the pressure
better than any OF his neighbors and Is there
fore perfectly ready to let the Emperor go
ahead full steam and risk the consequences.
II there is one point on which the Govern
ment may be expected to relax its pitiless de-
mandS in matters military 1t is that OF reduc-
ing the time OF service from three TO two years.
though even this reasonable request does not
meet with unanimous support in Parliament
even at the hands OF the Constitutional Frei-
snnGe party. The Nolksparty or Radicals are
its champions. and there is reason for thinking
that they will gain strength for their motion
as the session proceeds Many members to-
day carefully abstain from Offering any oppo-
sition to Government measures until Caprivi
has disclosed more fully his intention and
such as may in few weeks support the two
years service bill now decline to take stand
on the subject. particularly as the introduce
ton OF smokeless powder has raised nav ques-
tions regarding the instruction necessary on
the part Of the soldier.
The War Minister. Duvernois Is credited
with opposition to the reduction OF military
service. but II such is the case it is probably
for the sake OF gaining time and drawing out
information on the subject from competent
authorities. The matter is q new one. The
War Minister himself is new to his Office: so is
Waldersee. the chief OF staff; 30 is the Prime
Minister. Caprivi, and SO. above all. is this
buRaboo of smokeless powder When it be-
comes better understood it will be seen that,
as with torpedo boats it has added but little
TO the terrors OF war; that men have rapidly
adjusted themselves to the new conditions
and war is very much to-day as 1t has been for
thirty years.
During three manpuvres in Germany held
last year. covering about two weeks OF CEN
tinuous lighting. largely with smokeless pow
der, the practical observer. without being
necessarily a professional soldier, must have
drawn the conclusion that now. at last, We
have such a state OF things to meet as our saw
ages would have solved had their Rrrows
carried thousand yards instead OF hundred.
Heretofore the European soldier has had but
the most rudimentary knowledge OF sharp
shooting his firing being necessarily
directed against masses OF smoke and
not against individuals. Our Revolution
ary war first called into being the art
Of skirmish fire that Napoleon the First
used so effectively, and our civil war practically
abolished the masslng OF infantry under fire
in the absence OF that mercful veil OF smoke
that has heretofore encouraged soldiers to ap-
proach the other lines without realizing the
danger that they might Re running into. Each |
man will to-day see the full risk he is running
and will run himself if his officers do not.
Take another lesson from America The su- |
preme task Of an officer to-day is not merely |
TO have his troops march with precision but |
TO teach them to keep cool under fire. to choose
shelter. to stand of AT long range. aud to pick |
of their individual man in other words, to do |
what the average American boy who owns a
gun would do by instinct were he out into the |
ranks ct tho army
The German Emperor has read the Century |
war book. and knows the individual battles OF |
our struggle as well as any officer in our SER |
vice. and II 1t can be made clear to him that |
tho German can in two years accomplish all |
that 10 necessary to be good soldier there is |
every reason to believe that on economic and !
social grounds he will heartily support the !
measure. particularly as lie knows that Scharn-
horst aud GnesNnau held two years TO be long !
enough service Tor the soldiers that fought in !
the great wars against Napoleon.
Smokeless powder, We may conclude, will |
place greater responsibilities upon the officer
than heretofore. and mako the scientific |
branches OF The service more important than
ever. particularly the railway and telegraph !
for fighting lines will ne niger and thinner
than ever. and the !ulUrtance Of rapid com
munication between distant points more than
ever necessary. II this view is accepted Ia
Germany. there seems ground for holding that
the battle cry Of parliamentary reformers will
be from now on not exactly free trade and
sailors rights buttariiT reduction and soldiers
rights. for the Liberals have promptly intro
duced the tariff measures OF which YOU. we.e
informed some DAYS hec"ro Parliament met.
Bismarck sti.l lves, thanks 10 newspaper
In Iambur: which is regarded as his organ.
lie remains very bitter against the Emperor
Tor whom he once promised to draw his dying
breath. But OF late he has been SO busy In re-
ce!yIng and weighing most fattering offers
p a.l.. l.