Evening star., 1901-07-17

EHectfves. Year. Year.
Italy ......... 221 3ss e45. $40. .se4 s192 23
Austria 80. sbo637 7sTl7s0O 1e4 81
Germany ...... .b62 1s7 142.077.225 2ol 30
knssis ssss ssss sssss Il ss 8 1856 IS 3
All the armies OF continental Europe are
devoting considerable attention to military
maneuvers on a large scale and are TAX
ing prompt advantage of the latest i'm
provements in arms, ammunition and
equipment Of all kinds During the past
year Germany and France massed great
bodies of troops in extensive field opera
tions
French Meneuvers.
In reference to the French maneuvers the
report says:
The French troops, seen in masses at
their work in the field produce upon the
mind of the military observer a different
impression from that made by the individ-
ual soldier met in the street. The average
enlisted man is not well set up. His uni
form is badly fitting and gives no appear
ance whatever of smartneSS. The result
is that the individual looks sloppy.
''On the other hand. a company or bat
talon on the march or disposed for attack
act In unison, are quick and easy in their
movements and look businesslike. The men
are so used to the pack that 1t seems no
burden or impeachment. During the whole
maneuver silence Is observed even when
the men are halted and allowed to lie
down.
Abstained From Water.
Most Of the time the weather was very
hot, but It was rare to see a man during
halt drinking from his canteen. On the
march man is not allowed to drink with
out permission, and. generally, he is then
allowed only to rinse his mouth.
There was during the French maneuvers
no advancing by rushes In our sense. and
no lines were seen to move at double time
except In the final charge. A battalion OF
ten moves forward by echelons Of compa-
nies, but very deliberately and without
lying down or kneeling to fire. Commands
by voice are rarely heard, most indications
being by signal with the hand and whistle.
Bicycle companies were very little in
evidence, though they were used and were
seen in action generally on the tanks.
They were quick and we'll drilled. They
did not the folding bicycle. Bicyclists
were much used for couriers.
Use of the Cavalry.
THAT the day has passed when cavalry
can successfully charge infantry is evident
ly not believed in by the French army.
Every day during the maneuvers cavalry
was to be seen charging infantry fully in
the front. sometimes, too. when bodies Of
the unbroken enemy could take their flank
as they advanced. Frequently the advance
began at from 1,500 to $500 yards from the
enemy, over open ground swept by his fire.
The charges were generally made by regi-
ments In successive squadrons.
Most Of the movements in actual war
would have been characterized as reckless,
folly or pure sacrifice. The absence Of oon-
fusion. the complete knowledge which each
commander had OF what was going on
about him and what he was expected to
do, the ease with which 10000 men were
concentrated, supplied, marched, fought
and sent home indicated that the French
maneuvers OF former years are bearing
fruit today.
THE French cavalry is considering the
advisability Of adopting a saber pistol.
weighing one-third more than the present
saber 1t is go arranged that at every
Jerking back the blade 1t is hoped this
weapon will aid the cavalry in attack, par
ticularly in hand-to-hand encounter with
hostile cavalry. The weapon can be used
unloaded, as well as loaded
Review Of German Maneuvers.
In a long review Of the German maneu-
yer the report says. in part:
'It will be seen from the narrative that in
all the great fights the problem was SO ar
ranged that both parties were required to
take the offensive. This is quite In line
with the general tendency Of the military
mind, both in and out Of Germany. to en-
courage the offensive in contradistinction
from a passive defense.
THE improvements In firearms enable the
same number OF men TO hold a much long
er line than formerly. but for long time
after the new weapons were in use the
spirit Of conservatism favored the old for
nations. and an army in taking up de-
fensive position made the line dense enough
to be defended by the old weapons and
impregnable in front when defended by
the new weapons and only assailable upon
the flank. AS the flank attack has 80 long
been the rule and custom 1t Is not surpris-
ing that in some OF the battles OF this
years maneuvers one or both parties have
attacked the center.
In taking the offensive each party mass
ed It's infantry and artillery on front of
6OO0 or 1000 meters. making about three
men to a meter. and one gun to about
thirty or forty meters, II scattered along
suppose half the front to be reserved for
the artillery.
when 1t is considered that the artillery
now is capable of firing five or ten times as
fast as it could few years ago, 1t will
be safe to estimate that the effect of its
fire is at least four times as great as long
as it's ammunition holds out, and as it's
gunners are more or less protected by
shields from the fire OF infantry, the reia-
tive power OF the two arms is quite diff
ferent from what 1t has been. SO that with
shell and shrapnel 1t would be possible for
the artillery of the attack to make good
preparation for the advance Of its own
infantry.
although the infantry was well pro-
vided with intrenching tools 1t made little
use of intrenchments, because this was
thought to interfere with the elan of the
troops.
Well-Trained Cavalry.
1.-The cavalry habitually fought on horse
back. On the last day it was reinforced
by MaxiTns and mitraileuses. The cavalry
horses had been trained to perfection and
all the evolutions were performed with
beautiful regularity. In the charges against
infantry and artillery the line was halted
at the prescribed distance of fifteen PAGES,
and as far as could be seen. not a single
horse broke over the line. Great skill was
shown In approaching the hostile position
with as little exposure as possible and at
tacking by surprise and only troops con-
sidered to be disorganized and either re-
treating from the pursuit of infantry or
still engaged In hand-to-hand fight.
Against troops armed with the old weapons
these charges would have been fearful. 1t
remains to be seen how they will be af-
fected by the new.
1.-THE maneuvers offered many fine situa-
tions for showing what could have been
accomplished by cavalry fighting on foot,
armed with automatic rifles and accompa-
MED by machine guns and horse artillery.
ArTNl,~ rNA L. to- 81