Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-10-07

American officer After Reviewing
the Mnncuvers Points out Thai In
fnntry System of Close Formation
Is Not Fitted to Modern Warfare.
Unsuspectingly and innocently En-
peror William appealed to the United
States and British military experts,
.idjutant General Corhin, General
Young, General Wood, General Sir
John Hamilton ana General French. To
pass Judgment upon his army after the
paradas on the Tcmpclnofcr field ANA
at Frankfort-on-the-Odcr, writes the
Berlin correspondent OF the New York
Herald. Not little dismayed was the
emperor when both American and Brit
sh experts fresh from the campaigns
in the Philippines and South Africa,
were unanimous in declaring that the
infantry system OF the German army.
Of which his imperial majesty is most
proud and confident, is impracticable
in action and weak link of the army.
The emperor one evening gathered
the British and American officers about
him and asked their opinions and at a
gaia dinner again took .Adjutant Gen
eral Ccrbin. General Young and Cen
erHl French to discuss matters peril
neat to his army system. The en-
pcror showed eagelness to learn the
impressions of these generals, whose
experiences have been enriched by ac-
tive cnga gellents in the Philippines
ana the Trun>vaal.
The emperor likes criticism and in
vites it, but he was hardly prepared
for the cafGoi' and honesty with which
his guests attacked the infantry sys-
tcm as II primitive organization which
WoHlu tumble together like Il house of
cards under CALLING fire of long dis
lance artillery and other modern weap-
ons q warfare.
Adjutant General Henry c. Corbin
accorded the Herald correspondent an
in which he remarked: "ln
drill and compact organization there is
nothing like the German Infantry the
NOllu over. IL WoIit lldN lh"'h III
vincible N former days. with the cali
Der and range Of guns WhiCG permitted
hostile nrniies to approach 20 WitlIin
a few hundred yards. But IN nodevu
warfare. with artillery that reaches
, .,,las alt. 4,44>,. ..r. ~ ,.,,,,,
Of 1000 yards, the German lnfantrs
would be an1ihilatcd.
ut would he a shiIdng target II
some soldiers should lie behind en-
great distance away The
herman lnfantryman. so far a, | am
iblc to judge from the para,les il.
made of stern lighting timber. but with
he system of solid ranks and n,ltolna
onlike discipline his lighting force is
edllced to minimum. Against long
ange artillery and rifles N my opin-
on he would be useless in action.
both British and American generals
gree in this opinion. General Young,
Who comes from the Philippines, and
General French, who was in South
Africa. agree that the compact charac-
er and system of infantry of the Ger
nan army would be of no avail in,
lodcrn warfare
Whoever imagnes the emperor has |
ttuincd prc-eminence by accident Of |
irth makes a big mistake. The EN- !
error possesses great force of charac- /
ar and is opinionatel, but that is n !
OF all great men. He |
eileves in the army and his infantry |
ystem. He clinIs to the old infantry
and discipline condemned
modern warfare. The emperor also
very democratic and surpris,s me.
lie does not permit promotions from
le ranks, which explains the lack of
city officers il the Germany army.
In the United States army promo
on from the ranks has proved itself
commendable principle. 1t hus its dis
1vantages; but, us rule, it yields ex-
Silent results. German officers are
2cellent military men ana well train
l. but it surprises me that promotion
ON the ranks is not in practice in the
erman army"
The view Of General Corbin relative
the German infantry is in accord
18th that uttered by members of the
ritish army in the delegation invited
} attend the maneuvers II