Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-19
Lsnecial Corresnondence.l

Usual, Our Own Country Leads-Rela- tions Between Privates and Officers.
 Special Correspondence.l
 CHICAGO, Jan. 14.-It has been said that the life of the modern soldier has lost its romance, and that even war has been de- prived of its attractive features in these prosaic and cold matter of fact days. Gen orally speaking, this may be true of the regular barraCk routine and the wars be- tween civilized nations. Different how ever, is it with tho life of the average American soldier who passes most of his existence in far distant posts. Different it also is with the Englishman who serves in India or tho Frenchman who enters the marines and finally with the sailor sol diers of any nation.
 The American Soldier.
 Of all the soldiers in the world the American has superior advantages. It is only duo to tho mystery that enshrines his existence, the deep rooted prejudice of n democratic people against soldering as a profession and the lack of knowledge that foreigners have of tho real position of the American soldier that tho recruiting offices of this country arc not overrun with young men from all parts of the world anxious to enlist.
 There arc very likely, however, only few people in tho United States who, reading the newspapers, have not once in awhile come across an article referring to cruel ties committed by officers and nOncommis- stoned officers against soldiers in tho Ger man army. Great GS that army may be considered by many, the three or four years the men have to servo in it are n space of time in which each day forms a link in a chain of continued hardship. The daily service extends to from 10 to 12 hours. and 0S with regard to the food suf- flee it to say that no American soldier would touch il. Not that it is unwhole- | some, but il iS sn coarse that only those who have boon used to tho toughest kind of life arc able to conform to it. The bread is as black as coal and indigcstible, ! the soups mcagcr, tho coffee mere chicOry water, and roast forms the main luxury l of holiday.
 | For pay the German soldier receives only | q few Ccntsa q day, and with these ho has to l buy brushes, shoe blacking and other 1 small articles necessary for the cleaning of garments and arms. Tho relations be tween men and officers, if such a thing eX ists nt all, aVc the sumo as those between ! n fairly just dCsVOt and his subject. As l for the OVurhVaring arrogance and harsh ! ness with which uuncommisSiOnCdO officer: treat their men, it will be remembered that they have often given cause for dis cussion in the German parliament. While 1 admit that such treatment is capable O establishing an iron discipline, it must no be forgotten that it also causes both bit i tcrnCss and contempt in tho hearts of tn, men.
 The French Soldier.
 In France, which day by day is hecOm ing democratic country, the common soldier is treated better Tho army rcgu latiunS, of course. are enforced, but withou unnecessary severity, and while the foO, is of superior quality the pay k ns made quatc as in Ccrmauy. No dOuht a highe pay would hc given, but what European country can afford tn pay soldiers prOpOr tiOnatCly as long as standing armies of tlf present size arc maintained?
 The greatest advantage perhaps whicl the French soldier enjoys among his Euro pCan Cumrair; is that, apart from hi ClarCt, the government supplies him witt tobacco. The hours of duty arc not tO long, since all uunccrs>ary scEtrics hav been suupr,>srd under the republic. Tn relations bcIwtcn the men and the officer are ahOut thc sumo as in this country that l. Jo SIM while transgrCSsiOns of au thority from the part of noncOmmissionc officers arc severely punished officers gen orally enjoy hot only the esteem but oftC the devotion and affection of their men In England the soldier receives about th same treatment at the hands of his office ns in Germany, with th9 exception, pcl hapS, in the colonies, where men and oil | CCrS arc thrown closer together. The EnE