The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-12
THE GERMAN FLEET.
MUCH EXPECTED OF THE
 SAILORS

Who Man It and Much Given Them In Returm-Questiom as to the Wis
 dom of the German system of Marks mHnship Awards.
 The German fleet is the object of the
 Emperor's especial care, What is it's fighting yaIue?" it may well be asked. The morale of officers and men can be understood only if it is remembered
 that the Kaiser is the father of the fleet. All visitors to the ships confirm the statement that William II. is re- garded by those who wear his uniform with an almost religious devotion. In this country We refer to the Imperial German Navy, but the word imperial
 does not convey the right meaning of
 the German term KaiserliCh, which is
 the adjective employed. It is really the
 navy of the German Emperor. All or
 ders regulations and promotions are
 signed by him. His Majesty carefully
 selects, in particular all officers for
 high command, and has introduced 8
 system of retirement under which he
 obtains officers in the prime of life for
 the navy. He inspires the service and
 closely watches its development in ev-
 cry department, studies the training of
 the crews and in the ships portraits of
 his Majesty are hung and prized. Ey-
 erything impresses a visitor with the
 devotion to Emperor and country that
 animates every boy and man, and the
 care that is taken to foster a national
 spirit. No one can walk round one of these ships without being struck by the monthly list of national anniversaries
 hung up where the crew can see it.
 Much is expected of the men, even to the study of the skeleton model of the vessel to which they are attached,
 which is most ingeniously constructed in metal, and to q knowledge of the worlds men, of-War, gained from dia- grams that meet the eye everywhere, depicting the ships of the worlds na- vies. They must he able to recognize craft which are met at sea by the num- Der of their tunnels and masts and other details
 But if such is expected of the men. they enjoy many advantages in return. Their food is excellent in quality, ann pie in quantity, and admirably varied in character Every day in each week the diet is changed. The food is well cook ed and looks appetizing, and, in short, the men, if anything, appear too sleek and well cared for in contrast to the British bluejacket, whose fare has been to that of a certain class of that is an old story The dietary in the British fleet is to be im- proved, but even then bread will not be baked on board ship, as it is in the the German sailors are to be envied The lower decks are admirably ventilat- ed by mechanical fans, and in winter are kept comfortable by hot pipes that go everywhere. Hand-basins, with wa ter laid on, are numerous, and my inn pression is that the men are generally l more comfortable than in the British ' fleet Whether they are thereby better ! fitted for their work it is impossible to ! say--certanly they do not look it, | though they are well-built and inteli- | gent
 But there can be no doubt that in the | absence of the duty of polishing brass ! work of which there is none and ! wooden, well-caulked decks, | IS in the British navy, they have more ] -ime for other and more essential duties. We have in our ships decks of steel, | covered with wood, which requ res great 1 abor to keep clean and smooth, and l would splinter in action How do the Germans manage? On the quarterback If the Kaiser class, where the surface s exposed to the weather, a special 1 of cement, with slightly 'ough reddish surface, is laid over the steel, and elsewhere, all over the ships, he men walk on linoleum, which gives good tread, is silent, and is kept clean easily. In fact. wherever a non-com- oustible material can he utilized in hese new battle-ships, it is employed, md in a day every particle of wood,