The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-04
An Interesting Comment On German
Military Preparedness In Time Of
Peace

Peace.
To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
Twenty years ago this month went
to Berlin to spend the winter. The con-
trast with cur American customs ana
manners was especially noticeable to
me when Lecting and seeing on Pots.
damcr strasse or Inter den Linden so
many German officers In their imuiscu-
late and attractive uniforms. was
wonderfully Impressed with their great
height. their amazing strength and Wig
orods stride. Sharply clicking on the
pavement at every step were their
swords Every officer or soldier that l
me- was .. Vigorous and powerful look
though ] ON not famous for timidity
After two or three months too strcnu-
gus study I was ordered to n sanrtoy-
ium near tho town of Cassel. at which
plnce was stationed an army post.
After being there two or three DAYS
discovered there were German ARMY
ard rinrtnp officers there for treatment
for overwork In military tactics. crtild
and had not heen for twenty-five years
yet these great tall brawny looking
men had made themselves I'll by work.
ing tco lard Just on DUTY.
"why dc you wear swords on The
street. clicking Mt every step and fright
ontpg one into a nervous spasm with
the d,sarrceable sound. making ono be-
He only discourtcously replied: ct
understand American nrmy officers
wear uniforms like their policemen"
One offiHer at thu sanatori,i'p .~Hn Md
s ssn in 1%hc iIsn eIotbe. yre%srked r. me
that lie would not dare dance the min
net with the child in the un form ~ his
emperor. TINT II was too undigihed,
I had q, friend in Berlin who desired
that his only son should succeed him IN
TO take him out OF school TO devote two
years to military life. His government
demanded this OF him in the patriotic
duty of preparedness. This military ex-
others OF his school 30 erect, 30 brawny
and vigorous that now their military
efficiency IL the wonder OF the world.
The officers of the German army are to-
day selected from the tallest. the
strongest. and best qualified OF these
IN Berlin I went 70 Paris. where I re-
mained several months. ! was Mt once
struck with the contrast between the
military preparedness ] had noted In
Germany with that OF the unprepared-
ness OF France. The French soldiers
were small In stature. with no striking
military phvsique. their uniform was n
bright red coat. dark blue trousers. and
a taunty cap. differing radically from
the wonderful perfection OF uniforms
Perlin the martial appearance 50 preva-
lent. impressed one with the idea and
belief that war was Imminent at any
dav or at any hour. For they were
even at that time. twenty wears ago. 50
engrossed In preparedness for the call
to arms. Tho German soldiery were so
| utterly absorbed with their military
preparedness that there was no liTht or
| frivolous side to II. The French SOL
d'ers seemed to he more bent upon hav-
ing q good time. Actual war appeared
| as far from their minds as Il does to
the average American OF today. They
were In evidence at the tables In the
| cafes on the fashionable boulcvards
with beautifully gowned ladies and other
Of the French soldiers Is not TO be
thought to be derogated by me. for they
have proved themselves since the time
OF the ancient Gauls the bravest Of the
brave.
But their government did not demand
| such immediate preparedness OF them
az the Teutons did of their soldiery.
impending danger from anv source
| whatsoever. vet II II the unexpected
that occurs in this world. and we. sc
| great a nation. should nut ourselves In
such a state OF preparedness not only
| to meet anv unwarranted or unexpected
| attack upon us from the smallest. but
also from the strongest nations Of the
are prepared at a few hours notice 20
meet them successfully. they will have
| more respect for US, and will realize
that we are not a people to be dealt
VII" Mrs ROBINSON DowNEY.