Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-02
GERMAN ARMY OS PARADE
F. L Halter, Omaha Man, Writes His
Observations.
STUDIES PERSONALITY OF KAISER
stakes Notes on Feeling In Existence
Between Germany and England
Fear of War Confined
60 England.

BERLIN, Germany, Sept. l. 19lO-To the
Editor OF The Bee: Twice a year-on May
| and September 1.-The German emperor,
with all the pomp and circumstance Of war,
reviews the Imperial Guard corps Of the
German army. This picked body Of men,
corresponding to the Life Guards and
household troops of the English army, is
the kaisers own and represents the flower
of the German army, and as such, may we'll
be considered the best drilled OF any age.
In times OF peace numbering about 10000
men and when on war footing three times
as many, It represents every branch Of the
service and when on dress parade forms a
spectacle of military splendor and potential
distinction of life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness which will not sooE pass out
OF the memory of the spectator.
The review begins at a. IN. and lasts
until noon. At 8 in the morning we we're
awakened by the strains of martial music
f.Jm the military bands and rushing to our
windows saw tho Grenadier Guard regiment
march by ''Unter den Linden" on their way
TO the parade ground. From that time on
companies OF foot soldiers cavalry and
artillery filled the streets with color, music
and enthusiasm. BY half past seven we
were on our way out and none too soon,
as we were held up by frequent street
here and there officers going to the field
in automobiles, and finally with fine dis
regard of speed regulations and with
lively fanfare Of automobile trumpets, the
popular crown prince dashed by us in one
of the cream colored automobiles used eX-
clusively by the royal family to place him
self at the head of the First Guard regi-
ment to pass in review before his imperial
father, tho commander7in-chief From the
reviewing stand a sight greeted our eyes
never to be forgotten. As far as the eye
could see the field was full of armed men
maneuvering into line, bands playing, colors
flying; all was life and animation. At last
the lines are formed, one long line of in
fantry, then quite a space behind and
parallel to it a second line of cavalry and
artillery the infantry massed in perfect
squares of mathematical precision, with
the regimental band little to the left OF
the front rank of each square, the flutter-
ing triangular pennants on the lances Of
the cavalry forming straight line nearly
a mile along the horizon, the artillery, last,
with it's three pairs Of horses hitched
tandem to each gun, stretching away out Of
sight.
Lively Scenes EnSue.
Everything ready-every soldier at at
tention. Suddenly at the extreme left a
brilliant cavalcade of moulted officers ap-
pear. led by a soldierly figure on horse
back. In a moment, every band plays, the
crashing of cymbals and ;he beating OF
drums predominating, 10000 threats yell
out a hoarse greeting, the regimental flags
are dipped-the kaiser has arrived. Pan
demonium finally ceases aud the kaiser,
with his staff. begins the long ride down
the waiting lines and inspects his troops.
AS he passes a regiment the band plays,
the officers salute with their swords, the
men stand at present arms. Following
the kaiser and his staff az far as the
center of the front line Of infantry comes
the queen. with two of her youngest chill
dren, in an open carriage drawn by six
black horses, with drivers GA each Off
horse of the tandem teams. Following her
in a carriage drawn by six Drown horses
is the crown princess. The emperor, ;e-
turning from his inspeoti IN, stations HIM
self on his chestnut war stecd directly In
front of the leaders OF the queens car
riage. This group, together with The bril-
nantly uniformed staff officers around the
emperor altogether forms a picture to daz'
zle the eye and stimulate the circulation
Now the great parade begins Every
regiment in the field passes in turn be
fore the kaiser. First, the emperor BODY
guard, then regiment after regiment OF
,
cavalry, mounted artillery, foot artillery
machine gun companies engineer corps
bridge builders, railroad brigade, sharp
shooters balloon corps, etc. Companies
of trained men fully equipped with all th'
necessities OF a complete army ready t
take the field.
The parade uniform of infantry con
sists of immaculate white duck trousers
dark blue or green coats with red trim
mings, mostly. Every soldier of thos
1900, with the exception of the grena
diers, wore a horse-nair plume on hi
helmet, contributed by the docked horse
OF Europe. Grenadier corps wore the tai
triangular metal helmet made 50 familia
through pictures of Ereuerick the Grea
grenadiers. The officers wear half glob
SHINING silver or gold-plated helmets wit
the German eagle on outstretched win
on the visor in contrasting metal. Col
braid is conspicuous everywhere-a mos
gorgeous spectacle.
The heavy cavalry with corselet of bur
nished silver or gold flashing in the sun
light is easily the most attractive. In tn
band of the First Guard regiment, led b
the crown prince himself. is a big buc
negro carrying the horse hair pennant,
barboric looking combination. On inquir
found he is from German Africa. Anothe
German negro beats the bettle drum
the crack mounted cavalry hand of tn
Emperors body guard. To see tina
coon" strut horseback is worth tn
price OF admission. The cavalry is equiv
ped as light infantry. Every regiment
infantry in the German army is bein
equipped rapidly possible with
mounted battery OF gatling guns, b
sides the battalion of heavy rapid fire fiel
artillery which goes with each army corp
Every regiment Of infantry when With
q hundred yards OF the emperor break
into what is known as the goose step {
parade step. 1t consists Of violently kicl
ing the leg forward and brinSing II bac
10 the ground stiff kneed. long line
white ducked legs marching with the goo'
step, absolutely in alignment look like
pair OF gigantic shears methodicahy sni
ping off space AS soon as the regimen
commander has led his trops past Il
kaiser he falls out OF line and Joins Il
group around the emperor. The kais
rides home on horseback surrounded |
his sons and officers. The streets Of Be
lin are crowded like Ak-Sar- Ben time
home.