The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-08-27
ZEAL BATTLE CAPABILITIES
OF THE ARMIES OF EUROPE

ers having a caliber of rs MILNE
---s. Assuming the same propulsive
charge, abe German gun will carry fur
Their anG travel hatter than the French
weapon, making for better marksman-
ship at all ranges
Again, the French rife is heavier
than the German, increasing to that
extent the stress upon the man who
has to carry it on long marches. The
soldiers of both nations carry the
same number OF cartridges, 100. But
the saving in weight in the German
musket is Offset by other weights he
has to carry. Fully equipped the
French foot soldier has a total bur.
den of 54.5S pounds, while the Ger
man infantryman has to bear 5S.75
pounds. As a broad proposition the
average German is a sturdier man
than his French rival, and this greater
tax is wisely laid upon him.
French Equipment
In the French army each company
of infantry has the following portable
lOOl5s ElbuL bhONCt1t AOAA RANhAAAC1
double headed, three axes. one fold
ing saw and a pair OF wire nippers.
The German foot soldier on the other
hand does not get of SO easily. be-
cause each company has to carry 100
small spades, ten pickaxes and fve
hatchets. Now what does this mean?
Simply that the kaiser's infantrymen
are able to entrench themselves quick.
or than their French rivals, and for
that reason could hold an advanced po-
sition more securely and guard them
selves against attack while there bet
ter than the soldiers OF the tricolor.
Now let US see what Russia repre-
sens as a foes to Germany on the Fa-
therlands northern border. Unques-
tionably the cars army is superior TO
the kaisers in mere point OF num-
beers in peace, in war and in the total
available reserves, and so far as per
sonal bravery goes the Russian soldier
is unsurpassed. But battles are not
won these days by just numbers;
training and handling OF the men are
OF supreme importance
Broadly speaking. II is doubtful II
the Russian forces are any better
trained than they were when they
measured strength with the Japanese
In 1sO4-O5. The infantry are armed
with magazine rifles Of 7.e2 millime
ter caliber. and as marksmen they are
| nothing like the equals Of the Ger
mans.
How They compare.
| Russia In measurably superior tc
| Germany In the matter OF infantry
cavalry and artillery in the form OF
| aeld guns. and Germany. in turn. leads
| France In the vital feature Of artillery
| ARTILLERY has played a prime part -
all great wars, and the popular Idea
Ia that IL is upon these guns thar tne
/ tide OF battle turns. In q measure thi'
"a 40 for the field pieces have to pro
,ect or support the infantry: but WIZ
this done. the decisive outcome OF al
action depends upon the conduct ahe
! vaI,antry OF the foot soldier. for ~
constitutes the backbone Of any min
tary force.
Asa matter Of history. the Frene'
have led in field ordnance ever SINGS
the Franco-Prussian var The Frenei
we're the first to adopt the LONG reeoi
which made il possible TO use hiEnel
Dropulsion charges and TO secure BET
~ nrsetice against the target, An'
- ,hsr, too is owed the introduction
Of the spade upon the trail BY Shlei
the reeon Of the carriage eould D
licked thus making it possible 70
the gun pointer to hold his position
and 70 are deliberately and rapidly II
,bs French. also. the world Is indeete'
,oy the higher development o. u
shrapnel shell With It's WHIT AZ VIZ
Of lsaden bullets.