The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-31
THE GERMAN ARMY.
A Perfect and Theroughgoing Mil
itary Organization.
Every German Is Liable to Service After
He Reaches the Age of Seventeen
Method of Recruiting and
Maintaining the Army.

The German emperor may declare
var, though such declaration is sub
iect to the consent of the federal coun-
ell. If, however, the country is in
Eaded, then what the emperor says pre-
sails, without federal ratification.
An American may think that the
young kaiser talks a good deal about
bis function as war lord, and takes a
good deal of room in discharging it,
but, by the imperial constitution OF
1871, after the Franco-Prussian war
had ended in German unity, the en-
peror is rightfuliy the first soldier n
the empire, the entire forces of which,
IN war and peace, are under his COM
mand. 1t is his TO see that the army
IS kept in fighting trim, and his to Sc
cure this end by imperial legislation.
The Bavarian army is, however, dis
tinctive contingent, by itself, though
practically coOrdinated and subordinat-
ed in the imperial army system. Sax
ony and Wurtcmburg, also, preserve
certain military identity, in that each
puts up an army corps for itself.
1t is provided that the entire land
forces of the empire shall consist of 81
army corps.
Every German is liable to service.
! No substitute is allowed. No one es-
capes unless member of a sovereign
house, and he would deem il proper to
serve voluntarily. So the army of Ger
many is the peoples army.
When a German boy has finished his
| 18th year he finds drill master wait
! ing for him. When he puts away the
tools of war for good he is &c years old.
But practically his service will begin
In his Goth and close in his 39th year.
| During this period he will serve active
" three years in the ranks, four in the
reserve, five in the first levy of the
Lanwehr, then, until he Is 80, in the
second levy of the Landwehr, and fin
| ally until he is As in the Landsturn.
A young fellow, however, of means and
education, who bears all expenses and
passes an examination gets off with one
years service in the ranks. The duty
of the Landsturm is to take part in the
defense of the country. Neither the
Landsturm nor the second levy of the
Landwehr is called out in peace, but
the men in the Ersatz (relief) reserve
share in annual exercises covering 20
weeks.
The institution of the one-year vol
nnteers is an advantageous exception to
what an American might call a mill
tary despotism.
Under this exception, young men OF
professional inclinations not only re-
ceive the military training that prepares
them for duty in the reserve, but also
continue their studies with less detri-
ment to their education than if they de-
voted three valuable years to soldiers
life exclusively. But fellow must
pay for this cne-year privilege, his
legitimate military expenses amount
ing to from $3.50 to $500.
The military forces of the several
German states are administered
through their own war ministries,
which are all subject to the Prussian
war ministry. To control this vast
military system there are, besides the
war ministries, the emperor's military
cabinet. the commission for the defense
of the country, the general staff, the
head of which is directly responsible to
the emperor, and the great general
staff, which in the most scientific sense
is intrusted with the defense of the EN-.
pire.
Generally speaking, an army corps
is recruited in the district where it is
garrisoned, but the Prussian guard
corps is recruited throughout the coun-
try. In the case of Alsace- Lorriane,
the province taken from the French,
Germany discreetly takes no chances
of disaffection among her troops there
garrisoned. The men she raises in this
province of French antecedents are sol
diers of unquestioned loyalty.
The cavalry of the German army is
the only branch which has been in
creased since the French war. Its
strength is 90 regiments, or 465 squad
rOns. France has As squadrons less,
but of field matteries she has IS more.
Germanys field batteries is smaller
than that of any standing army.
As regards uniform, the infantry, ar
tillery. dragons and pioneers wear the
helmet, the officers the ''kaeppi," the
Uhlans the ''czapka," the hussars the
fur cap, the cuiraSSiers the steel helmet.
The cuirass nowadays is only worn on
parade. The infantry coat is dark
blue. In color, style and equipment
there is much dissimilarity In the Ger
man army, but there is complete uni
formity in marks OF rank distinction.
\ German officer finds a private in
come a useful adjunct. a second lieu
tenants monthly income is about $50.
When a man has nothing he NAV per-
haps get u stipend from special funds
O. from the emperor. \ captain of the
first class draws annually about $3.50;
a major or lieuteant colonel, S1,650;
a colonel. S2.2jO. There is also an al
lowance for outside lodgings. 4 young
officer cannot possibly ike up 10 his
social station if he has a family TO sup
port. II young officer wants TO mar
ry he must get the emperor's permits
sion, and satisfactorily prove that his
income is at least Tin PrusSia) $3.50
year. The future wife OF an officer must
beworthy the army-she must be of IN
blemished reputation, and be OF fam
lily Of unquestioned responsibility.
There are pensions for the old and
infrm, though 10 sge limitation exists
IS with Us.
When a German recruit takes the
oath the act Is made as solemn as posi-
lie. No criminal Is allowed TO wear
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