Evening star., 1900-07-17
KxAPsAcKs OF MANY NATIONS.

English soldiers' the Lishtest Because
They Rely More Upon Transports.
From the London Express
When the Germans heard of the recent
enormous casualty list on the fatal Alder
shot field day, about which official inquiry
has been held. there was much seh-compla-
cent head-wagging and many unkind things
were said regarding the stamina and
marching capacity Of Thomas Atkins.
AS a matter of fact any body of troops
under identical conditions would have had
an equal casualty list; but the Germans do
not realize these conditions, because in
their maneuvers they. and indeed all the
crack continental armies, without doubt,
''do these things better"
But the Germans can march and so can
the Frenchmen and Russians. and, more
over the two former in marching order
carry a bigger load on their backs than the
British soldier. Marching with them is an
important accomplishment, and one not to
be taken for granted.
The German recruit. after he has had his
parade drill ground thoroughly into him, is
taken out to stretch his legs. First, he
marches in uniform only, then he Is given
a rifle to carry. next his knapsack, and so
on until his marching order is at full
weight.
During all this the distances are being
is increased. When trained he Is doing his
twenty miles regularly twice week, and
he may be called upon to do a thirty-mile
march occasionally, and, fit as he Is, he
accomplishes 1t ION his head
That Tommy Atkins can march, too, no.
body will deny, but when comparing his
comparatively spasmodic pedestrian efforts
with those of the foreigner, general condi-
ton must be taken into account, and here
he does not, a rule, compare too favor
ably, except after a fortnight or less In the
field.
Then again, though some of our authori-
ties differ on the point, he must have a
breakfast to march upon. and a small
amount Of food every five hours or SO. and
occasional mouthful Of water to wash
the dust out of his throat.
They get all these things on the contt-
mental maneuvers, as matter of course.
In ours 1t is not always so|n fact, an ofh-
Ger writing from the front has said that
SO far as hardships and lack OF food are
concerned the Transvaal Is a paradise COM
pared to Salisbury plain it formerly
was
The continental soldier carries heavier
kit on his back that the British soldier,
because he relies less upon his transport,
and, no matter where the baggage train Is,
he can always pitch his tent at night and
roll himself up in his blanket
When in heavy marching order Tommy
Atkins carries a coat and cape. mess tin
comprising plate, frying pan and kettle,
a valise holding spare uniform, shirts,
sack for small articles and a water bottle.
This weighs complete, with rife. pouches,
bayonet and 100 rounds of ammunition, 6
pounds.
The German Is provided with a great
coat one blanket and ground sheet, a
quarter of a tent and pole, mess tin
(Which for the present Is also his water
bottle) and ak. His valise contains a
spare pair of boots, three pairs of socks
(or foot rags if he is a Bavarian), spare uni
form and fatigue dress. brushes, &c. The
whole equipment. with bayonet, rifle and
$50 rounds of ball cartridge, weighs ~
pounds.
The Frenchman carries much the same.
including tent section and blanket, but no
waterproof sheet or haversack. The COM
pany cooking pots are divided up among
the men, A drinking cup and spade COM
pletes his rig-out, which weighs. with rifle,
bayonet and 10 rounds Of mamunition, -
pounds.
The Russian carries only 6S pounds of kit.
hut then he has no blanket or waterproof
sheet He is only burdened with 70 rounds
of ammunition. which is fastened about
him in somewhat clumsy fashion.
So far as food is concerned the redcoat.
for all the millions that are spent on him,
really fares worse than his conscript COM
rades With them biscuit and coffee or
chocolate at ) am. is the rule. Dinner Is
at r. and conSistS-and this on maneu-
vers too-of soup, meat, salad and beer
for the Germans. and one pint of wine per
man for the French. AT $50 is supper of
cold meat, salad. bread and cheese. and
more wine and beer. The Russian menu is
varied with salt fish, but he fares well on