The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-10-22

Novel Aids to the Armies--"one
viii; Ny Will"
Every one knows the German EN-
peror is master of 5.O00,0UJ fighting
men-a vast army keyed to an amaz-
ing pitch of perfection, and selected
from a whole empire in arms That
army Is the most formidable fighting
force the world ever saw, ana lts
practical efficiency 10 tested once
year in the month of September. For
the great aim. says Gen. Won Einem,
the Prussian Minister of War, Is TO
be ready before the need arises to use
our weapons"
At the same time II is erroneous
TO suppose the Kaiser himself works
out the scheme OF the maoeuyres or
that he retains supreme command
The Emperor's functions are those
of supreme umpirs-n chief. who
passes final verdict on the psrfor-
nance OF all troops and criticises de-
fects with merCiless severity But
long before September minor sections
Of the huge machine are being exer-
clsed, that they may know their part
when called upon. Young Lieuten-
ants barely out Of their teens are Or
dered to lead subseotions OF compan-
les out into the open country and
take them against imaginary enc
mics
The great September operations are
known as the Kaiser manoeuvres, be-
cause tho emperor always superVises
them In person as Commandsr-in-
Chief OF the army. Mobilization or
ders are issued precisely as they would
be II France or Russia they would
be accommodated pending their march
10 the front in real warfare. They
are next entralned and conveyed to
the various military centres, The
railroads In Germany are all State
property, 40 that the military authori-
ties may retain a controlling grip on
them Even the freight cars have all
been measured In advance, and bear
on their sides figures showing the
number OF soldiers and horses they
will take
The march 10 the railroad station,
the actual entraiuing aud the second
march from the terminus 10 the ap-
pointed camp are all done with math-
ematical precision; for II is the boast
OF Germany that she can place a
completely equipped army OF half
million mon on any frontier within
twenty four hours Tents are erected
as though by magic and the camps
laid hyaienioally. according 10 plans
long laid down Each man carries
among his other impediments piece
OF canvas about yard and a half
square, two ten pegs. tent stick In
three pieces 10 support the roof. and
cords
When the right time comes these
canvas squares are buttoned together.
the peg stuck in the ground. and the
sticks Joined up to form the ridge
pole. Then when a couple of dozen
pieces have been deducted for officers
and non-coms, the men creep into
what ls left and sleep packed like sar-
olu9ss linus thiS tohh ogSN'" ~ N'o'
tic. Two men can form shelter, or
an entlro company may unite their
sections.
The hour Of reysilis varies between
midnight and In the morning, IL
there lie time the regiment Will boil /
TIA coffee. but II not every man
munohes his bit OF schwarzbrot con-
tentedly and marches on. Singing |
ID encouraged. for the men who sing |
on the march can go further and |
fight better than those who do not
At the close OF each days opera
tiops the Kaiser summons his prin-
eipal officers around him and delivers
to them q lecture on tho lessons ana
warnings to be gained from the days
experience Mistakes are mercilessly
exposed by the imperial expert. who
skpounds intricate questions OF mill
tary strategy in way that reveals q
complete mastery OF the subject.
Moreover the Emperor speaks with
considerable oratorical charm.
On certain occasions, however.
when the Kaiser has had entire COM
mand OF an army of his own. he has
suffered crushing defeat, despite his
absolute mastery Of strategy and tao
tics. This Is mainly due TO his love
a