The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1900-07-27

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stamina and marching capacity of
Thomas Atkins.
AS matter of fact, any body of troops
under identical conditions would have
had an equal casualty list; but the Ger
mans do not realize these conditions, be-
cause in their maneuvers they, and in
deed all the crack continental armies,
without doubt, "do these things better"
But the Germans can march and SO
can the Frenchmen and Russians, and
moreover the two former in marching
order" carry 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 rifle to carry, next his KNAPP
sack, and SO on until his marching order
is at full weight.
During all this the distances are being
gradually heightened and finally the
pace is increased. When trained he is
doing his twenty miles regularly twice a
week and he may be called upon to do a
thirty mile march occasionally, and fit as
he is, he accomplishes it ION his head
That Tommy Atkins can march, too,
nobody will deny, but when comparing
his comparatively spasmodic pedestrian
efforts with those of the foreigner, gen
eral condition must be taken into &C
count, and here he does not, as rule,
compare too favorably, except after
fortnight or less in the field.
Then again, though some of our au
thorities differ on the point, he must
have breakfast to march upon and a
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 on the cont
mental maneuvers as matter of course.
In ours it is not always so-in fact, an
officer writing from the front has said
that so far as hardships and lack of food
are concerned the Transvaal is para
disc compared to Salisbury plain as it
formerly was.
The continental soldier carries heav-
Ter kit on his back than the British sol
der because he relies less upon his trans
port, 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 coat and cape, mess tin
comprising plate, frying pan and KETTLE,
valise holding spare uniform, shirts,
socks, boots, brushes ETC., a canvas hav-
ersack for small articles and water
bottle. This weighs complete, with rifle,
pouches, bayonet and 100 rounds of am
munition, 66 pounds.
The German is provided with 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 an axe. His valise contains
spare pair of boots three pairs of socks
Tor foot rags if he is Bavarian) spare
uniform and fatigue dress, brushes, etc.
The whole equipment, with bayonet, rifle
and 80 rounds of ball cartridge, weighs
70 pounds.
The Frenchman carries much the
same, including tent section and blanket,
but no waterproof sheet or haversacl.
The company cooking pots are divided
up among the men. A drinking cup and
spade completes his rig-out, which
weighs, with rifle, bayonet and ITO rounds
of ammunition, y pounds.
The Russian carries only 68 pounds Of
kit, but then he has no blanket or water
proof sheet. He is only burdened with
IS rounds of ammunition, which is fas-
tened about him in somewhat clumsy
fashion.
So far as food is concerned the red
coat, for all the millions that are spent
on him, really fares worse than his con-
script comrades. With them biscuit and
coffee or chocolate at a. m. is the rule.
Dinner is at IL, and consists-and this
on maneuvers, too-of soup, meat, salad
and beer for the Germans, and one pint |
of wine per man for the French. At G:3O
is a supper of cold meat, salad, bread
and cheese, and more wine and beer.
The Russian menu is varied with salt
fish, but he fares we'll on the whole.
DO you believe that Lusher really
saw sea serpent on his last yachting
trip?'
II have no doubt of it at all. was