Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-09-13
KNApskcKs OF MANY NATIONS.
Emglish Soldiers the Lightest Because
They Rely More Upon Transports.

Eng1iRh Soldiers the Ltghtest Because
They Rely More Upon Transports.
When the Germans heard of the re-
cent enormous casualty list on the
fatal Aldershot field day, about which
official inquiry has been held, there
was much self-complacent head-wag-
ging 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 indentical conditions
would have had an equal casualty list;
but the Germans do not realize these
conditions, because in their maneuvers
they. and indeed al the crack contin-
entail armies. without doubt. do these
things better" But the Germans can
march and so can the Frenchmen ana
Russians, and, moreover, thetwof form
er in marching order carry Big
ger load on their backs than the Brit
ish 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 rifle to carry. next his
Frapsack '"d 90 u"t'l his march
ing order is at full weight.
curing all this the distances are
being gradually heightened and finally
the pace is increased. When trained he
is going his 20 miles regularly twice
a week. and he may be called upon to
do Il 80 mile march occasionally, and.
fit as he is, he accomplishes it ION his
head"
THAI Tommy Atkins can march, too,
nobody will deny. but when compar-
ing his comparatively spasmodic
pedestrian efforts with those of the
foreigner. general conditions must be
taken into account and here he does
not. as rule compare too favorab.y
except after Il fortnight or less in the
field.
Then. again. though some OF our
authorities differ on the point, he
must have Il breakfast to march up
on. and Il small amount of food every
five hours or SO. and an occasional
mouthful of water to wash the dust
out of his throat
They get all these things OH the con
tinental maneuvers. as a matter of
course. In ours it is not always So
in fact. an officer writing from the
front has said that so far ms hard
ships and lack of food are concerned.
the Transvaal is Il paradise compared
to Salisbury Plain as ii formerly was.
The continental soldier carries II
heavier kit on his back than the Brit
ish soldier because he relies less up
ON his transport. and no matter where
the baggage train is he can always
pitch his tent at night and roll HIM
self up in his blanket.
When in heavy marching order Tom
my Atkins carries Il coat and cape,
mess tin comprising plate. frying pan
and kettle). valise holding spare uni
FORM shirts. socks. boots. brushes.
etc. n canvas haversack for :mall
articles and water bottle. ri s
weighs complete. with rifle. pouches.
bayonet and 100 rounds of amnunl-
ton G6 pounds.
The German is provided with
great coat. one blanket and good sheet.
a quarter of tent and pole, a mess
tin (Which for the present is also his
water bottle and an axe. His yalise
contains spare pair of boots. three
pairs of socks or foot rags if he is n
Bavarianl. spare uniform and fatigue
dress brushes etc. The whole equip
ment with bayonet. rifle. and 40
rounds of ball cartridge. weighs 12
pounds.
The Frenchman carries much the
same. including tent section and blan-
ket. but no waterproof sheet or haver-
sack. The company cooking pots are
divided up among the men. \ drink
ing cup aud spade completes his rig
out which weighs. with rife. bayonet
and 10 rounds of ammunition, u
pounds.
The Russian carries only Gs pounds
of kit hut then he has no blanket or
waterproof sheet. lie is only bur-
dened with a. rounds of ammunition.
| which Is fastened about him in some
what clumsy fashion.
so fur as food Is concerned the red.
coat. for all the millions that are
spent on him. really fares worse than
/ h.s cons,ltpt comrades. With them
! biscuit and coffee or chocolate az !
/ q. M Is the rule. Dinner il M L.,
| aud cons.sts-and this Is on maneu-
/ yers. too-of soup. meat. salad aud
/ 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 mere wine aud
beer. The Russian menu Is varied
with salt fish, but he fares wei ON
/ the whole. London Express.