The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-05-08
AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
Hest Treated Warriors In the World
A Brtrish Private's Comparison
of Army Methods.

A British soldier, who formerly
served in the United States army, and
who recently returned back from two
years of the most active service at
the front in South Africa, sends us the
following remarks on Mr. Brodrick's
scheme for popularizing army service.
Not long ago, he says, Lord Wolseley
stated in the house Of lords that the
American army was the finest for its
tizc in the world, and as one who has
served and seen active service in both
armies this soldier bears out his state
ment, says the Washington Star.
ain the first place, the Americans
offer sufficient inducement for the
good article to come forward, whilst
IN Great Britain we offer TO pay an Of
fee boy with the hardships of North
sea fisherman and expect the very
best to roll up Many candidates for
the British army who are pronounced
as unfit at one recruiting depot go on
to others, and on third or fourth at.
tempt manage to pass more lax doe
tor. For instance, men refused at
Liverpool will go to Preston or Ches'
ter.
"'The unftness Cf these men is at
once apparent, whenever a thorough
inspection Is made in order that drafts
may be sent abroad, but as the good
article won't join at the money we
must take the best sometimes worst)
we can get. A pioneer now serving at
the front in the Scots Guards has only
two fingers on his right hand, and yet
passed the doctor. This fact speaks
for itself as to the inspection of re.
cruits at certain dcpots.
an the American army the candi-
date goes before board Of three doc.
tors and passes a very stiff eXamina-
ton. He must be in extra good bodily
health, besides being a perfect phys
ical and mental specimen Of manhood.
While the physical standard Of the
British Tommy is deteriorating, that
Of the United States soldier is getting
more and more perfect.
"The American recruit must be 2l,
and he must prove his age, If doubtful
in this country boys Of IS and 1G join
snying they are IS. They are sent to
India and Africa and then everybody
wonders at the inadcquacy Of our los
pital accommodation Not long ago
n Lancashire paper had an obituary
notice as follows: At Utrecht, Private
John -- died Of wounds, age 1T! Had
II been n drummer no comment could
be made, but 'private!'
~ have met many ex British soldiers
IN the American army they only
take the very best they all say
they prefer the American army DO
cause there Is less pipe-clay and but
ton-hurnishinR kit inspection and fan
cy work that leave the soldier no time
either TO soldier or to play Men
have 20 be smart and clean and respect
ful and that Is all
"Oncc at Fort McHenry, Baltimore,
nm American officer made himself so
obnoxious to his men that they began
TO make numerous applications for
transfers to other companies The
commanding officer 81 the regiment,
tumhIinR to whore the grievance lay,
transferred the officer Some British
officers want transferring.
"The American officers first duty Is
10 see that his company has got their
rations, and To hear any complaints,
The British officers thoughts are apt
20 turn 10 the officers mess wagon.
mud this ON active service. His com
p1u}'s welfare seldom troubles him.
They durcn't complain The man who
does SO can bc hal mp for 'grumbling,
f"r melting 70 mutiny' and for con
duct 10 the pre- mdicc ~ good order
aud discipline II is one OF the things
thnt make Gen. Butler beloved Of Tom
my that hc at least always shared the
hardships, and, when he could, looked
after the wants. ~ his humb'est fol-
i"Wors. Having served two years In
south Africa at the front. not at the
base camps have seen these things. f"
CRnuIbRI Trout.
Trout are cauulbals. and IT Is a m0~t
question whether in some waters
large trout should not be systematic
ally destroyed Many Dartmoor fish,
erinen are in favor of killing them
They say that ftl invtheir streams OF
one pound 60 two pound weight are
hhlaIy e'crcauRhn by ordinary means
ana i've en'irSly on tlneir own breth.
Fen. = two pound Devon trout ~
probably responsible FOR the death q
several stones weight ofth., owu kind
' London Naa u Notes.