Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-01-13
MILITARY HAzINC.
Carried to Brutal Extremes In
German Army Schools.
CADETS MANNED AND KILLED.
The Most Dangerous Punishment
Melted Out to Errine Freshmen Is
"ths Gantet of Fire." and the Most
Rspulsive Is Bacon Swallowing"

"ths Ganyet Of Fire." and the Most
Rspulsive Is Bacon Swallowing"
Germany is, Of all countries, the one
In which the science of haZing In mil
itary schools has attained the greatest
development. The army plays in the
fatherland's life part the importance
OF which can hardly be realized by an
untraveled American. Military service
is compulsory. and in time Of peace
100000 men are kept armed, uniformed
and drilled. To command that huge
contingent 10000 commissioned officers
are necessary.
This large officer corps has developed
customs, ethics, even a morality, of its
own. These customs and ethics are
initiated at an early age by the boy
who aspires to enjoy the veneratiOn
which German officers generally re
ceive from the populace. Imitation
In young man usually means exag
geration, and some Of the little mil
itary snobs are on their first day at
school a Joy to behold. Very soon,
however. the precocious stiffness is
taken out of them.
A harmless though repulsive form OF
hazing cadets whose appetite verges
on gluttony Is called bacon swallow
ing" The plebes to be victimized are
lined up on the grounds surrounded
by group of second year men. A
slice Of raw bacon Is tied to a piece
of string, and the plebe whose name Is
drawn first Is made to swallow the
unappetizing morsel When the sick
ening sensation of the Irvine tickling
his throat threatens TO nauseate him
the bacon is pulled out. The name OF
another unfortunate Is drawn, and he
Is In turn obliged TO swallow the ba-
con, the appearance of which has not
been improved by the first mans
chewing. On 1t goes along the line
to the next man and up to the last one,
and for days and days the sight of
bacon, a staple article in German
cuisine, will, If 1t does not spoil the
healthy youngsters appetites, at least
remind them that undue haste in as
Stimulating food lacks refinement.
After few hours spent in frogs
squat" the most dignifled and snob-
bish plebes assume the good natured
and perfectly chummy attitude which
means that they have been tanned
Swelled heads are quickly noted and
their owners made to sit on the floor
with their chins resting on their knees,
and their ankles and wrists are bound
together, A solid stick passed under
the knee joints and forcing the fore
arm back prevents them from moving
arms or legs, and they are left there
facing one another in an unnatural,
cramped and ridiculous position.
Other forms of ha2ing are the stom-
aeh dance, with or without obstacles;
finding the keyhole, tossing in blan-
ket and star gazing. In the stomach
dance the cadet is put fiat on his
stomach on high table and four tor
mentors take him by the hands and
feet and whirl him around on the
table In the case Of serious offenses
a few hard objects or OBSTACLES are
scattered over the table, making the
'uance" rather painful.
Then comes finding the keyhole. The
cadet stands in front of locker and
lie blindfolded. He has to feel for the
keyhole with his forefinger Then an
other cadet places his head between
the locker and the finger, opens his
mouth and bites the finger till its own
er howls.
Star gazing consists in being made to
watch the stars at night through a
coat sleeve held like telescope by
two cadets. A third cadet then pours
a glass of muddy water in at top of
the sleeve.
When cadet is guilty of behavior
unbecoming to a gentleman, disgraces
his class by some breach Of etiquette
or commits some petty theft he is
generally sentenced by the ''holy
vehm," or court of honor" to the
rod. The penalty is applied ruthless
ly, gag being placed in the punished
mans mouth to stifle his cries for
help.
| OF all the forms of hazing the most
brutal perhaps is the gauntlet Of fire"
The freshman upon whom that punish
ment is to be visited is kept in dark
room astride wooden chair, to which
he is securely fastened. In the next
room his tormentors are twisting news
papers into imitation torches, which at
! z. given signal they light with matches.