Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-10-05
KNAPSAcKS OF MANY NATIONS.
English Soldiers the Lightest Because
They Rely More Upon Transports.

English Soldiers the Lightest 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 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 all the crack contin-
entail armies. without doubt, do these
things better" But the Germans can
march and so can the Frenchmen and
Russians, and, moreover, the two form
er in marching order carry a 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
be is given Il rife to carry, next his
krane"ck and =" ON until his march
ing order is at full weight.
Dur.ng ali 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 n 80 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 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 favorably
except after a fortnight or less in the
field.
Then, again. though some of our
authorities differ on the point, he
must have a breakfast to march up
on, and 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 con
tincntal 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 as hard
ships and lack of food are concerned,
the Transvaal is paradise compared
to Salisbury Plain as it formerly was.
The continental soldier carries a
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 a coat and cape,
mess tin comprising plate, frying pan
and kettle), valise holding spare uni
form, shirts, socks, boots, brushes,
etc, a canvas haversack for small
articles and water bottle. This
weighs complete, with rifle, pouches,
bayonet and 100 rounds of ammuni-
ton &C pounds.
The German Is provided with a
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 valise
contains spare pair of boots, three
pairs of socks or foot rags if he is a
Bavarian), spare uniform and fatigue
dress brushes etc. The whole equip
ment with bayonet, rifle. and $50
rounds of ball cartridge, weighs -
pounds.
The Frenchman carries much the
same, including tent section and blah-
ket, but no waterproof sheet or hayer
sack. The company cooking pots are
divided up among the men. A drink
ing cup and spade completes his rig
out, which weighs, with rife, bayonet
and 10 rounds of ammunition, -
pounds.
The Russian carries only 6S pounds
Of kit, but then he has no blanket or
waterproof sheet. He is only bur-
dened with 10 rounds of ammunition,
which is fastened about him in some
what 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 cOnscript comrades. With them
biscuit and coffee or chocolate at 5
a. IN. is the rule. Dinner is at II,
and consists-and this is 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 n 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
the whoie.-London Express.
American Lace Curtains,