The Eddy current., 1898-10-08
Muar NANNY MoNEY.
Fooy German Omesrs Have No Alter
native.

Foos German Omcers Have No Alter
native.
The berlin correspondent Of the Now
York Evening Post says. Must not a
profession be morally degrading when
compeis n large number % men 20 live
continually beyond their means ana
offers them no way out OF the burden
OF debt thus contracted except rich
marriages7 The army officers who are
20 placed socially that what for others
Is a choice IA for them a dvv-who
are Obliged TO keep up appearances, TO
participate In the moaa costly social
amuacments-are more poorly paid
than many a shop clerk or skilled ar
iisan. The rich mans son. IN the ar.
my for the position Il gives cares moth.
Ing for this, OF course. lie spends his
salary on a bouquet for the latest bal
let favorlie. and thinks no more OF H.
But for the majority, many Of whom
have a noble name which prevents
them, IN their opinion, from taking up
any business land lack OF means pre-
vents a university course End propara-
iion for a learned profession as wolD.
there Is only the army.
For a man with a small private in
come. or as In some cases with none
at all. the army Is a mariyrdom. which
few outsiders would care 20 experience.
The salary of first or second lieuten-
ant Is not nearly adequate for one
halt OF the expenses necessitated by
the position. But II Is easy. fatally
easy, for an officer to borrow money
she mOney-lcnders come 20 him as soon
as he enters a new garrison and offer
their services. For they know nc needs
them. and they know that his business
inexperlonce and his necessity viii per-
NIT them TO obtain his signiture for an
exorbitant rate OF interest. The pay
ment is sure enough. for there are
plenty OF rich girls only too eager 70
marry an officer, and n not even II tho
harassed debtor turn to the pistol as a
last refuge, the honor OF his family,
his name, requires that his debts be
paid. II no one elae, then even the
regiment will come TO the front. and
F"N w W HAA'ih tN'll AhAHlhu's y Eh!h
trait, perhaps. but how much better II
conditions were such that at last gem
erosity were not necessary?
Army statutes forbid n min 10 mar
ry unless either he or his bride can
show just as much capital, 10000
marks, / think Il Is. Unless the on
pgF hos "a t.rfugta f,rtttu. a.. .arto L., ~
cannot save that amount from n salary
not sufficient for him TO 1.-Two upon, 80
no choice IL left him but TO marry for
money. We may not be sentlmontally
inclined nowadays. but | do not feel
that for a man TO find himself COM
PEELED to marry for money. to sell him
self, Is n state OF things which Is most
deplorable The whole unhealthy at
mosphere OF the profession mentally.
the lighting against debts and crodl-
tors on the one hand and the feeling
ones self a little tin god" on the
other. has resulted IN creating class
Of men very elegant 10 look at physlc-
ally, but intolerant, oyerbearlng, self
satisfied and as unlnteresting mentally
as n man can well be IN those days OF
chcapened education.
There II no class Of men In Europe.
and this Is a strong assertion, who are
80 insolont to women as are the Ger
man officers. While All polltoness Ia
the women whom they consider their
social equals, their behavior In the
street IS an outrage on an doconcy.
The coat they wear Is supposed TO
give them the rank OF gentlemen. but
their behavior towards unprotected or
self-supportng women lacks anything
that would show the first instincts OF
a gentleman.