Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-02-20
TheGeneraFS
OTderlD
A Story Of the
Pan European War
Bu ALAN HlNSDALE

During q lull In the fighting In
Flanders, when the Germans were
making their onslaught upon the allies
Hans schrieber, who had been called
TO the colors from his fathers farm
in Westphalia, had marched away as
a private end had through the killing
Off of officers and his own bravery
been promoted to be captain, was one
morning ordered before the colonel OF
his regiment.
"Captain," said his commander, 1T
has been reported to me that you have
been caught fraternizing with PIT
| vate soldier in your company. POSI-
blv YOU may not know the customs
| of the army in this respect. In the
army there can be no familiarity
| whatever between an officer and q SOL
dier. This war has necessitated the
promotion Of many men from tne
ranks. which is contrary to the spirit
Of the military forces, and doubtless
there are officers who do not realize
the great gulf that lies between them
and their former companions. l have
sent for you to warn you that II you
are again caught conversing familiariy
with Fritz Celrich you will be court
martialed, and the punishment Will pe
severe"
"But. colonel" the captain protested,
Private Oelrich is from the same To-
cality as l. He Is very young ana re-
ouires a friend to cheer him, to pre-
vent his falling victim to homesick-
ness, which will impair the value OF
any soldier. feel it to be my duty
.'Your duty is to obey orders. Co.
and do not again let me hear any more
Of this breach Of military discipline"
The colonel turned away from Cap
tain Schricber. who saluted and went
hack to his command. The very next
day the Germans made drive In
which the captain again distinguished
himself. One Of the field officers OF
his regiment was killed, and bis colo
mel was about to recommend him for
promotion to be major when 1t was re-
ported that young Oelrich had been
slightly wounded and the captain, for
getting that his position was at the
head of his company, had carried the
private to the rear in his arms.
The colonel, as he considered this act
of gallantry on the one hand and dere-
LECTION Of duty on the other, knit his
brows. Had 1t not been for the neces-
sity Of supplying the gaps constantly
occurring among the officers he would
have made short work Of Captain
Schrieber. Notwithstanding his efacien-
CIV as q leader. AS it was, he felt COM
PEELED to recommend his subordinate
for promotion. Indeed, he knew OF no
other man that he could put in the
place Of the officer who had been killed
in whom he would have confidence.
The necessities of the service and
not a yielding to any tenderness he
might feel induced the colonel to ig-
more the report Of Schriebers having
carried Fritz oelrich of the field and to
give him higher command than q SIN
gle company.
Captain" he said to Schrieber, MA
| jor Heckler having been killed, you will
assume his position and the command
Of the companies that were intrusted
to his care. I shall only add that the
higher the rank Of an officer the more
incumbent it is upon him to remember
| the gap between him and the men OF
the ranks whom he commands. The
discipline Of the army Is Of the highest
order. This cannot be attained or kept
up except by the officers being absolute
masters Of the men,"
Captain-now Major-Schrieber ga
luted, but said nothing and again left
his commander without that punish
ment which he knew except for neces-
sity would have been melted out to him.
A combination Of bravery and tender
ness has always captivated the world.
Major Schrieber the moment fight
opened was lion; the moment 1t end
ed he became lamb. He went about
with the Red Cross workers succoring
the wounded and was never known to
prefer the case of q German to q
Frenchman. 1t was this that led his
comrade officers into tacit unacknowl-
edged agreement to turn the other way
whenever the majors sympathetic ma
ture oyercame his sense of duty and he
went beyond the limits in expressing
that sympathy to common soldier.
In the case of Fritz Oelrich he new.
er offended openly. Toward Fritz,
when others were there to see, he main
tanned an unapproachable dignity. But
unfortunately he had been surprised
speaking earnestly to the boy, and on
one occasion had taken Fritz's hand in
his while speaking words Of encourage
ment and comfort. He did not know
how often he had been seen in such
position, for those who saw him kept
the secret.
There was fighting all this time, and
Schrieber's efficiency as a leader was
constantly being demonstrated. On a
reorganization Of certain force that
had been very much depleted he was
made colonel Of regiment. Another
fight took the general Of his brigade,
and Colonel. Schrieber was put in his
place.
When those officers and soldiers who
understood their generals weakness
heard that he had made Fritz Oelrich.
who was still private, his orderly
there was feeling Of dread among
them. They feared that Schrieber's
affection for the boy might place him
In a position to bring his honors tum.
bling about his head. If Oelrich had
but enough Of the qualities of soldier
TO promote him to the lowest rank of
officer there would be no danger.
There was no military law to prevent a
general from hobnobbing with lieu.
tenant, but there was a very stringent
law against his having anything of a
social nature with v private. When
men have confidence in a leader they
are anxious that that leader should
continue to command them. General
Schrieber's troops were fearful that his
Partially for young Oelrich would end
In his being degraded and they obliged
to accept another untried commander.
Their fears were not groundless. One