Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-01-12
MILITARY HAz|NG.
Carried to Brutal Extremes In
German Army Schools.
CADETS MANNED AND KILLED.

The Most Dangerous Punishment
Melted Out to Errino Freshmen 10
"the GantIet Of Fire." and tho Most
RepuIsive 10 "6aeon Swallowing"
Germany is, of oil countries, the one
in which the science Of hazing in mil
itary schools has attained the greatest
Development. The army plays in the
fathcrland'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 $4,000 commissioned officers
are necessary.
This large officer corps has developed
customs, ethics, even morality. of its
own. These customs and ethics are
initiated at all 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 mill
itary snobs are on their first day at
school 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 a 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 it 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 it 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 "frog's
squat" the most dignified 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 hazing are the stom-
ach 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 bis
stomach on a 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
dance" rather painful.
Then comes finding the keyhole. The
cadet stands in front of locker and
IL blindfolded. BE 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 bowls.
Star gazing consists in being made to
watch the stars at night through
coat sleeve held like a 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
unbecomiag to gentleman, disgraces
his class by some breach Of etiquette
or commits some petty theft be IL
centrally sentenced by the holy
vel:n." or "ccurt of honor" to the
iOu. III 10 ul'pI<-u eNe"~SS
~. a gag being placed in the punished
mans mouth to stife 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 he visited is kept in dark
room astr!Gc wooden chair, to which
he is securely f:s+c-"a In the next
room his torn:viliv.s - twisting news
papers into imitation, torches, whk.h ut
q given signal ttrs i'rht VT, rcct"hcs.
When the torches ere burning lightly
they form themselves in two lines;
another signal is sounded. the Cnor Of
the dark room is thrown opcn. and the
freshman is ordered to ride betwcc,,
the lines, while he is mcrciIesSfy
dashed with flaming brands.