The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-08-01
THE KAlSER'S STAR
WITH SUCH NATIONS AS THEY
 RECEIVE
1t is No Wonder They Have n WelI-
 Fed Look

at Bantry Bay an Irish newspaper re- porter referring slightingly to the hungry appearance of the German bluejackets."
 As matter of fact, the German sailors tendency is toward overstout- ness from the excellent fare provided for them by the Government, and the beer to which they are addicted. This Irish article ranked in the minds of some of Prince Henrys men, and, a practical method of refuting the inpu- tation of leanness was devised by two patriotic Teutons, who also happened to be he fattest men in the fleet. They had themselves photographed at their own expense. and sent the re- suit. with their compliments to the Irish editor.
 A correspondent at Kiel having eX- pressed to Admiral Prince Henry of Prussia a desire to see those men, His Royal Highness most kindly sent for them. Standing on the deck of the Hecla, the girth of these two German giants could only be compared with that of the tunnels of battle ship. Brawnier and more enormous men could not exist. In their per sons the Irish libel is triumphantly refuted. and one more international complication is at an end.-Paris Mes senger.
 Among the things which are better done in the German than in the Brit 1sh fleet is the feeding of the crews. In our navy the attitude has been that what was good enough for the heroes who fought under Nelson will do for the seamen who will have to win our naval battle tomorrow In these days not even government de- pertinent can maintain such a posi- ton of narrow conservatism. In our squadrons we want, not what is good enough, but what is the best, and in the treatment of the men who go down to the sea in the Kings ships we have not hitherto reached that standard. When I visited the Ger man squadron under Prince Henry of Prussia, while it ay off the Irish coast, one incident impressed me. I was going round the decks of the Kaiser Wilhelm Hone of the five sister first-class battleships of the eight composing this force-when I came upon some of the messes busy at their tea, which they were having with that Uncle Todnan, in 'Libertv Hall, would call "a little relish" some nicely cooked fish. No one in authority was within hearing at the moment. and inquired of one man if they had good and ample food supplied such as they liked. Without moments hesitation he assured me that the diet was excellent, that each days dinner throughout the week dltfered, and that they thoroughly en- Joyed their meals. Such te stimony would not be given on British ships Tor the simple reason that on the ad- mission of the VictuaIing Committee, whose report was issued some months ago, the feeding arrangements have hitherto been altogether unsatisfac- tory and only after years of agita- tion is change to be introduced.
 The German sailors have food in good variety and quantity, and they bear evidence of their treatment in their appearance. If they are open to any criticism more than another, it Is that they look too well fed, and they lack that hard, strenuous firm ness of expression and build of the British bluejacket, which is the out ward mark of his ability to stand great mental and physical strains. The committee referred to have, indeed, suggested that the British Jack Tar is becoming luxurious in his tastes and spends his money on unnecessary arti- cles. He shows no sign of flabbiness at present, though, as this body ad- naitted, he spends a considerable sum Tn supplementing the official rations. Now, It is true that the German sailor receives 20 per cent. less pay than his comrade of British birth, but wages of all classes in the Fatherland are lower than with us. On the other hand, the Teutonic sailorman does not have to dip into his own pocket to any extent to make good the deficiencies of food in the official dietary, while our men do. It is not only in the quantity. quality and variety of food that the German sailor has an advantage. Even at sea he has bread to eat. The Brit ish bluejacket does not.
 The German sailor does not live on weary round of hard tack" such as the British sailor has to worry his teeth with for considerable portion of the year. The navy biscuit is not bad it Is thoroughly well-made arti- Gle. but one can get tired even of a good hard baked biscuit when it is the staple article at every meal. In the German fleet the ships are fitted to enable bread to be prepared. Every ship has an oven and a trained baker is borne, so that the men may have fresh bread three or four days week
 In the German fieet-and this is an interesting point-there are two me- thods of feeding the men. First. the Government lays down a routine of the diet. one for sea and one for har- Dor, as with us, and the men are fed according to this scale without regard to the expense; or, secondly, the men may choose to take certain sum each day. varying from 9d to Is in accord ance with the local prices, and on this they have to live. A committee con- sisting of an executive officer. the payn1aster, chief surgeon, a couple of petty officers, and two sets fiwv tH petty officers, and two men is formed, and this body sees that the men are well and properly fed At any time they like the committee can revert to the government diet if they think it more profitable to the men. In the British nayy stsa x,;posi, ,,a .o..L.,