The National tribune., 1893-05-18

NTNN&zSM eStaDllSnment AS soon as all
WNN the new military laws shall
have come into effect, Europe
can boast of force of not less than % 100000 OF
soldiers In other words an army of well-drilled
and well-equipped men, equal TO one-third our
entire population, could be placed on the field
and rendezvoused within fighting distance in a
very short time. What such an armed force
means few realize. It is almost impossible to
conceive of such vast numbers, yet the cold
facts remain as an indisputable evidence OF
their existence.
Not long ago talked to q prominent Ger
ma n about the army of his country. Said he
"When you speak of the German army you
are speaking of the nation, for Germany is q
nation Of soldiers" That statement epito-
mixes the relation of the army to the country.
Every able bodied male citizen from his 18th
10 his 45ih year is liable to be called upon for
military duty even in time of peace. The ex-
act amount of this service depends on the con-
dition of the various active corps and the re-
serves.
The German army is in all respects model
of military perfection. 1t has practically
formed the basis upon which the armies of
most European States have been reorganzed
within the past score of years. No event of
the past century exercised a greater influence
on modern warfare than the Franco Prussian
war of 1870. This swift and decisive conflict
showed to all the world the superiority of the
German military organization. Yet, although
this war added luster to the German arms, in
no country did it cause greater change. 1t gave
rise to the consideration of improvements
which have been taking place ever since with
cut cessation.
The German Empire to-day stands as monu-
ment to the genius of Bismarck. The uniting
Of the petty principalities under one central
Government for the purpose of common de-
Tense gave scope for the splendid military or
BauiZafIOn which Is the aduir9 fiOn of the
world. Nor has the END come yet Even now
the Emperor and the Congress, or Reichstag,
are at loggerbeads over the army bill, and His
Imperial Majesty is ready to go to almost any
extremity for the purpose of furthering his
1svOrite idea of monster army TO be the great
est the world has ever seen.
The German Teutons, though industrious and
home loving, have always been warriors Ger
many has always been the seat of wars. With
France the country has seldom been at peace.
When not at variance with outside nations
they have warred against themselves for pass
time. There has been a hundred and also a
thirty-years' warfare, and numerous others of
shorter duration. Frederick the Great is one
of the favOrite heroes of the German people,
and he was an incessaDt fighter. Probably is
might have been the times as much as his own
inclinations which kept him so much in the
field. In those days. couple Of centuries ago
it was pretty difficult far nation to remain
long at peace.
The spirit of this fayorite ancestor, Frederick
the Great seems to animate the spirit of the
Emperor William the Second. Had he lived in
the middle ages he would, no doubt, have made
an enyiable record as warrior and warlike
Prince. Living even in this age, bis nature will
not stop short of the greatest military aggre-
cation ever organized in the world. His fight
ing spirit must, however, be assuaged by mimic
battles, mock manuvers and holiday reviews
Of has armed cohorts
The Emperor is reported as saying al only
wish the peace Of Europe lay in my hands.
should certainly take care that it should never
again be troubled" And no doubt he would do
90 Yet. on the other hand there is no more
doubt that in his Utmost soul he giOries in ali
military preparations. 1t is his delight TO slip
away from his palace unnoticed, and unex-
pectedly appear at some distant military post.
and there have the troops marched out before
bim. In this way he keeps himself informed,
and III touch with the complete workings of
the army organization. These unexpected
visits certainly give little zest 10 the ordinary
dull routine Of camp or fortress lfe and show
the people that the Emperor's heart is in his
work
The Emperor is in supreme command Of the
whole army. which is supplied, under his regu-
iation, by the various Governments of the Con-
federation. This great force is organized under
several war ministries, of which there is one
each at Berlin, Munich Dresden, and Stuff