New-York tribune., 1902-04-22
FRENCH AND GERMAN ARMIES

! SoLONEL SIOtt Ell COMRARES lhEIt
RELATIVE EFFICIENCY-RENnNI
CENCES OF BISMARCK
AND MOLTKE.
Paris. April s.
! Colonel Stoffel. who from 1866 until 1870
! military attache at the French Embassy in Ber
! lin. and whose remarka BILE reports to the En-
peror revealed the efficiency of the fighting
strength Of Prussia and North Germany. and
which, had they been needed, would have avert
ed the war Of 1870. has just completed work
on the battle OF Waterloo, which, in the opinion
OF the late Prince Munster Won Dereburg. who
from 1855 10 1901 was German Ambassador in
Paris will be the most complete study of that
campaign yet written. Colonel Stoffel became
intimate with Count Munster in course of his
residence in Berlin in 1866 and the friendship
was renewed thirty years later in Paris, where
the Ambassador and Colonel Stoffel met by
chance at reception at the house Of Princess
Mathilde Bonaparte. Colonel Stofel. who leads
most retired life. had conversation few
days ago with NJ. Joseph Galtier. editor Of
the Temps which is of great interest not only
in respect to the relative efficiency Of the French
and German armies to-day, but furnishing
personal "reminiscences of Bismarck and Of
Moltke in course of their visit to Paris where
they accompanied King William upon the occa-
sion Of the opening Of the international EXhibi-
ton Of 1861
Colonel Stoffel is to-day an erect. robust man
of eighty-one He is still quick witted and alert.
In reply to the questions OF the Temps editor,
Colonel Stoffel replied: oh. you cannot imagine
how many times in the last thirty years people
have asked why il that in 1870 one
needed my advice My reports were painful and
even Cassandralike. But with two exceptions
nobody listened to then. and ! do not hesi-
tate to say that, under the same circumstances.
no would listen to me to-day, and I endeav-
ored to impress this upon of our war min
listers not very long ago.
When the Emperor sent me to Berlin ii was
just after Sadowa. This victory caused pro-
found impression In France where II was felt
that the facility with which the Prussans de-
feated the Austrians was unnatural In my
ports I never ceased to dwell upon the superb
organization Of the Prussian army. and the re-
markable ability and energy OF its leaders. The
Emperor one of whose orderly officers I was
belonged to the artillery-and Marshal Mel
paid great attention to my reports. and seemed
Inclined to profit by them. But other influences
much more powerful than mine We're constantly
brought to bear upon the Emperor The result
was that nearly all the generals were against
me and took pains to make 1t known that they
did not agree with me. Whenever said Whlte
they would all say black My truth with five
rows of gold lace-I was a lieutenant colonel
could not have the same value as their truth
with three stars, for it seems that truth in those
davs and perhaps now also has military rank
and hierarchy. The Chamber Of Deputies would
not listen to military reform. They thought
mobilization after the fashion of Tacitus would
suT1ce to defend the country. and they feared
pretorian guard.
Il accomplished my task as best could
called attention to the superiority or the Frus-
sian artillery and of the Prussian staff The
reply from court was We conquered the Aus
trians! We beat the Russians! We must go 10
Berlin for so 1t is writtenl' feel sick at heart
whenever think of those sad days
When asked whether the relative efficiency OF
the French and German armies to-day was not
about equal Colonel Stoffel replied: Il have
not set foot in Germany since my departure
from Berlin in 1870. Nevertheless. am not
ignorant of the actual condition Of the German
army nor of that OF our own army well In
nv opinion do not believe that our army can
compare with the German army. Certainly our
naterial-rifes and guns-is perfect. The arma-
rnents of the nations are about equal
What constitutes the superiority Of the army OF
onr eastern neishbors is the quality of their
oorns Of officers and of those intrusted with SD
nrer1e command The German officers belong 10
the elite of the nation. They are recruited from
the nobility or the upper classes of society
rrra;r instruction is not better than that or our
officers but they have in addition manners and
education that have great weight with their
n Look at a German soldier when he meets
enc Of his chiefs: he is penetrated with respect
,,erp,ng upon awe. The distance between the
oescer and the soldier is far greater in Germany
than with us. The German officers form a caste
nv themselves and are not expected to accept
among their number any one Of whom they may
sieannrove The colonel proposes subaltern
.r6ida,e and the officers of the regiment are
free TO accept the newcomer or not Inc
Germans have an inbred sentiment OF discipline
.h., does not exist with us Observe what a
,,ssionate taste young French lads have for the
r,,ro, or toy theatres, which are perfect OBJ
,ac+ lessons of lack of discipline and insubordi-
.,o, What do French boys see at these
-,,,.,,,re theatres where they go in company
,t, ,urses too often accompanied by soldiers?
w,v they see everything emblematic of author
ity ridiculed and beaten with SUCKS Inc judge
he policeman the gendafme all take turns in
beins kicked or raped over the knuckles' Inis