New-York tribune., 1914-11-23

Berlin. Nov. 10. One OF the most in
tercsting, and, to a good American.
gratifying features of the war is tho
apparent democratizing effect on Ger
many which il already seems TO he
having, with the possibility OF tar-
reaching results in recasting the whoie
caste system. if II lasts long enough:
To one who knew the peace time gult
that divided the officer caste from the
rank and file il came as distinct
shock TO see an officer and a private
walking down the Friedrichstrasse to-
gether-not such rare sight now OF
q marty Of officers and non-coms TAXI
cabling in Unter den Linden. one no
ticss. too. that Young heutenants nave
she'd their to Americans seeming
snobbing manner along with their fuli
dress uniforms. and that othcers, even
crustv colonels and imposing LOOKING
generals. now unbend and return the
Solutes of their interiors with new
spirit Of cordality.
In the field the change OF heart mat
has come over German milltarlsm is
even more striking. Bullet ana sheil
are Quick and efficient Jewellers oil aru
fetal rank. and the man-to-man DSsis
5 soon reached under ire. Men re-
turning from the front-forgettlng the
bullying disciplinarian of peace DAYS
speak affectionately of their fallen ON
GERS, and in some cases with surpils-
inc familiarity. As n typical instance,
i'm military train ] was swapping
Hamburg cigars for war stories with
group OF wounded soldiers from
around Verdun, and one Of them told
how their captain had fallen and now
his men had cried when they picked
him IN dead. concluding: lie was 2
fine fellow" ("ein gutter Kerr. Such
q phrase in the mouth OF a private
would have been high crime IN July.
Another. sergeant. started n irulttul
theme of discussion by remarking'
"Our company has had seven command
srs since the war started. | led II foT
= while-till | got this" pointing to ms
arm in a sling. Signs are not wanting
that the common people are coming
into their own-even III the army IN
the not distant future if the casualty
lists continue with the same ratio OF
officers 10 men.
Facing the Facts.
The end of the third month ~ wal
Goes a still united Germany, now thor
oughly realizing that il is in for hare
FIGHT. but undiscouraged and confident
Of winning in the end, though 1T car
last a long while yet as many soldiers
returning from the front have told me
They reflect the general opinion;
long war is now taken for granted, an(
there is no longer any attempt ever
in print. TO underrate their opponents
strength.
Stories emanating from allied sources
OF flights between Bavarian and Prus
siar, soldiers" or "disaifection IN Sour
Germany" may safely be consigned t'
the scrap heap, however. The tradi
tional ill-feeling between Bavarlan ant
Prussian has been, temporarily at least
shelved by the common desire 10 "bea
the English" A Prussian Foreign OF
rce official remarked 10 me: "The BE
varians are now Sighting al the post o.
honor against the English IN th'
north"
II is significant that 90 be sen
against the English is now considered
an honor, the greatest that can CONF
To the lucky regiment or division corp
the order greeted with cheers by th'
men who are congratulated" by theil
'iess fortunate" brothers in arms OF
their chance of having go at th'
English. Soldiers returning hot iron
the front speak mostly with note o
pity Of the misguided Belgians. le'
astray and then betrayed by the Brit
ish": of their French foes they sTeal
net unkindly and sometimes with nd
miration. They're putting up a gam
resistance" "They aren't such ba'
sort" They're human beings, same a
we are" and "Some of them are fine
brave fellows" were comments whicl
WIS at first surprised to hear iron
German soldiers. Even against III
Russians there is no very marked bit
tcrness Of sentiment.
English the "Arch Foe
But the English! They are regarde,