, 1892-02-24
IT Is NOT A PICNIC.
LIFE In THE GERMAN ARMY, AND
ITS DISCIPLINE.

An OIymp1an who mas Been i'm the
service Tells About 1t i'm Inter
esting DetaiI-The Routine of
Day.
Not a little has been said about Olympia IS
new military company which takes the
title Of Company A, First regiment, ma
tional guard Of Washington. Certainit is,
however, that more interest has been mau-
Tested than was at first expected. The
drills are we'll attended and the boys have
not been slow to comprehend the move
ments in the manual of arms and the ma
neuvers of the foot drill, so that they now
present a oreditable appearance. But mil
itary life ais it is seen in the national guards
of the various states is not comparison to
other countries, more especially that of
Germany. Joseph Kinzleman, a jeweler at
2O1 Main street, gives some interesting facts
regarding the methods which haye brought
the German army 50 much into prominence
as model of military discipline. "Joe," "
as he is commonly known BY the boys, has
had the benefit of the regulation three
years service under "Unser Fritz"
Every young man in Germany, it mat
ters not what his station IN life may be- is
compelled to enter the army for the period
OF three years. During that time, he must
upon all occasions, be attired in a military
uniform, whether it be in the barracks or
at social gathering, on duty or off. The
age Of Is is the period at which the Young
man generally enEsts, but it must not be
later than 20. Sometimes, if the physical
condition will not permit the service5when
the age of 20 is reached, he is allowed two
years in which to reCuperate, and at the
end of that period, if still ineapaciated, is
exempt.
NO CHAMBERMAIDs.
Everything is shipshape" is a phrase
which covers multitude of meanings, but
an inspection of the general barracks would
fully impress one with the reality of the
expression. There Will be found a place
for everything, and more than that every
thing in its place. This rule is observed
most strictly, and the slightest deviation
from from 1t is an otfense of which few
soldiers are guilty. In each sleeping
apartment are about tWenty-four beds, as
neat and clean as pin, with each bed par
allel in its position. Alongside of the bed
is closet in which hangs the uniform in
one section, and in another is placed a
plate, knife, fork and spoon, cup and
saucer, which must be arranged Just so.
The soldiers rise promptly at O'Clock and
make their own beds, for they have no
chambermaids to arrange their rooms.
DON'T HAVE THE GoUT.
Perhaps one of the most interesting
things is the routine of the day. After
rising, the soldiers are given until O'Clock
to prepare for drill. During this period
everything belonging to them is polished
and cleaned, and breakfast, which is not
encountered with varieties, is dispatched
1t consists of black coffee, and one loaf of
bread which is handed out every four days.
Only two meals are served, the last one be-
ing at 12 O'Clock, and consisting Of soup,
meat and vegetables. If YOU are hungry
toward evening you can go to bed and
sleep it off, or after relief from duty you
can purchase something with your own
funds, but the government allows only the
two meals, and these are not laden with
luxuries. The food for the entire regiment
is cooked in one mess, and distributed
among the various companies. Each man
washes his own dishes and replaces them
in his closet, being careful that they are
perfectly clean and prepared for inspec-
ton.
soLDIERLY DISCIPLINE.
From O'Clock until noon and from
o'clock until is consumed in drilling, with
one hour at the detail drill, another at the
bayonet drill, another in skirmish drill
another IN the gymnasium and SO on.
During this time the strictest military dis
cipline is enforced and-5he personal ap-
pearanee of each soldier Is criticised most
severely. The shoes must be polished
the heels as well as toes, every button
must be in use and no slouehy attire or
clothing in bad repair is tolerated In ex-
ecuting the drill the soldiers mind must
be on that alone. There he must stand
like statue, never moving muscle, no
matter 1T mosquito is slowly and tOrtu-
ously extracting the blood from the end Of
org ie
able by crawling up the leg of his trousers.
When the company is at rest he can give
these little inconvenience attention.
At the hour of O'Clock the soldier is
relieved Of the restraint of the barracks
and is given the freedom of the city, never
once, however, removing his uniform The
regulations in this respect are SO strict that
the presence of citizens clothing Of any
kind is not permitted in the barracks.
At 8 p. NJ. the bugle cali summons
every man to the barracks, and at 10 O'Clock
a second sound of the bugIe signals the ex-
tinguishing of ali lights. By special per-
mission the privilege of a later hour in
which to attend an evenings entertain
ment, do little counting, or the like, is
granted.
NOT LUCRATIVE JOB.
For turning out Monday the members of
Company a receive from the state the sum
of S1.50 each, and think it rather small pay
But just add few cents to this and you
will have the German soldiers pay for the
entire month. He receives 221% ptennig a
day, which, III our money is equivalent to
5A cents, and consequently for a month of
30 days, his compensation would be $1.571@.
Pr0mOtlon is not very rapid, and tile
rank of corporal is the highest that can be
attained unless the soldier pledges himself
to remain in the service after the expira-
tion of his three years enlistment.
STRICT OBEDIENCE OR A PENALTY.