TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-11-17
itaee Der 2aatn Strake.

racks. They vainly predicted sub
stantial lowering Of the intellectual
level on the next generation after the
ordeal of three years OF military ser
vice. Is not such an inevitable de
terioration OF the best moral and men
tai resources of nation striking in
dictment Of the rigid militarism recent
ly developed in France7
In Germany the infantry are kept
under arms for only two year terms
and even the engineers and foot ar
tiIlery enjoy the advantage Of this
shorter period Of active service. Only
the cavalry and horse artillery, less
than 10 per cent Of the army, have to
serve three years, As to the young
men Of higher education they invaria-
bly, remain for only one year with the
colors.
We thus see that in France 21 per
cent of the whole population, not ex-
cepting the educated classes, are kept
in barracks for three years, TO the det.
riment Of the entire national efficiency.
In Germany, on the other hand, only
l.2 per cent OF the population are de.
barred from the utilization OF their ca
pacity for productivity and the great
majority OF them only for a term OF
two years. The more highly educated
youths lose only one year, so that they
are enabled TO start early in the ardu-
GUS race for success In whatever pro-
fession they choose.
As TO the heavy expense entailed by
military preparations the annual charge
per head Of the population amounts
in France to 1915, In Great Britain TO
$3.50 and in Germany to s4.75.
II peither the duration nor the ex.
pense Of the military service deter
mines the relative burdensomeness Of
tho principle OF @militarism' it is per-
haps the social influence and prestige
OF the military class that tells the full
story. Here again we have TO deal
with the result OF historical develop
ment in Germany, where the heredi-
tary nobility plays a more important
part than in any other European eoun.
try. Especially in the eastern Prns-
sian provinces there are large mum
ber Of old noble families whose small
hereditary estates are absolutely in
sufficient to provide livelihood for
all of their often numerous progeny.
For many generations these gentry
served in the Prussian army or In the
Prussian civil service. They We're the
backbone Of the armies that achieved
victory in 1896 and 1870. These old fa-
miles, by tradition and by adherence
10 the dynasty, stand nearer 70 the
throne than the middle classes and
naturally enjoy the social prestige at
taehing to hereditary nobility. This
IL also the case in England.
But 1t would be grave error to
assume that they monopolize the army.
The higher middle class In Germany,
with IL wonderful scientific equipment,
has conquered its place in the army as
well as in industry and trade. Officers
without title Of nobility are already In
the great majority, To the question
why the generals in high commanding
positions are always mobiles the answer
is easy. They have received the dis
tinction Of nobility from the emperor
in acknowledgment Of their services,
just as do distinguished scholars also.
But / read somewhere that the stig-
ma of militarism Is 10 be found in the
power OF one sole irresponsible man
the "war lord" - to make war, to order
mobilization and to drag the peace low
ing, Industrious citizens to the appai.
ling slaughter Of modern war with
out asking their consent. ! am afraid,
q this definition holds good, that the
United States OF America would be
open TO the taunt OF being "militar-
islie. AuS Pchtotnt Va t"S NateN
States, according TO the constitution,
wields broader executive powers than
any constitutional monarch in Europe.
President Wilson ordered big fleet TO
Vera Cruz to seize the custom house
and occupy the town, while both
houses Of the congress were discussing
for days the wording Of resolution
supporting the presidents action. Had
President Wilson likewise ordered the
advance Of the American troops from
Vera Cruz TO the capital Of Mexico
nothing on earth could have prevented
the United States from embarking on a
long. costly and arduous military ex-
ploit. Under those circumstances there
would have been nothing that congress
could do except 10 back the president
and to vote the necessary appropria-
tion for the army operations.
In point Of fact. diplomatic and mill
itary efficiency need unity Of action
and quickness Of resolution. Legisla
tive assemblies never supply these
qualities, which are attributes Of the
executive power. Even in England
...l. H.. a..