The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1919-05-03
CERMANY'S new
ARMY LACKS SNAP
Soldiers Slack in Discipline and
Show Familiarity Toward
Officers.
OLD ARMY HAS DISAPPEARED

ABOUT /U,UUO men Commanded by Hin.
denburo About All That Remains
Of Great Host-RevoIution
Changes German Troops.
Berlln.-Under the new republic the
departments Of the army and navy
are no more, In name at least. The
republics name for them Is defense,
and they are placed under charge of
Gustav NOske, much trusted by the
government for his prompt action in
emergencies, and much hated by the
Spartacans for his relentless opposi:
ton when disorders break out.
Noske's appointment as head Of the
navy, as well as the army, was regard
ed none too seriously, by Noske him
self, at least. When asked by a news
paper man what he expected to- do
about the naval affairs Of Germany in
the future, Noske laughed and replied:
"Why worry about naval affairs, when
We haven't any navy?
There are still sailors in big num-
bers In Germany, however, and they
have been a problem. During the revo-
luton the sailors played an important
part, and most Of them developed such
liking to land duty In Berlin and the
other big cities that they have refused
to leave for Kiel or any Of the har-
bors. Now the sailors are used In the
guard regiments all over Germany,
along with soldiers.
Big Army Disappears.
The German army is in process of
reorganization. Immediately after the
armistice the army almost disappeared
as an organized unit, and though there
were millions Of men In uniform scat
tered all over the land, none was re-
sponsi'le to anyone. and officers were
not safe in uniform. In localities the
soldiers Joined RED guard" groups.
and some served and others misused
their privileges. Thus the army as it
was known in the old days practically
vanished, except for few divisions
under Hindenburg, camped behind the
Rhine, and the troops along the Polish
border. -......
Now the only army Of the field that
Germany has Is in the east to guard
against the Poles. It Is commanded
by Hindenburg and is supposed to be
not more than 10000 or 10000 men,
If it numbers that many. However,
government troops are scattered over
the country in every big city and in
industrial centers to guard against
disorders. The big problem is keep
ing these troops faithful and salts
fed, when Spartacan propaganda and
money Is at large. Under Noske and
the minister Of war, Colonel Reinhard,
the morale and discipline of the gov
eminent troops have improved tremen-
dously until a great part of the for
mer efficiency Is restored.
Depends on Peace Terms.
Germany's army is In a transitory
state. What 1t will become depends
upon the peace terms, the Germans
recognize. But there has evidently
been a change In idea in the govern
ment. Early in the revolution Ebert
declared himself against conscripted
army, and Noske and Reinhard were
appointed to organize volunteer forces,
serving for short periods, to defend
the new government. As a matter of
fact the troops used for interior de-
tense are all volunteers. mostly young
men, serving for three or six months
at good pay.
The policy Of the new republic will
be against CONSUMPTION in theory, de-
clares President Ebert, but there is not
much hope Of putting the theory into
effect, for it Is pointed out that Ger
many will not abolish CONSUMPTION un-
less the neighboring nations do. Since
the Germans do not expect their neigh
bors to depend on volunteers, plans
are being worked out for a new con-
scription army, serving shorter periods
and modelled more after the Swiss
than the old Prussian army. The
militia idea is popular, but is consid-
cred idealistic.
The German army Of interior de-
Tense, which probably numbers around
a hundred thousand men, or possibly
a few thousand more, is an expensive
proposition. Volunteers have to be
paid we'll to keep them from being
won over by the Spartacans, who offer
more money. Food and equipment is
good. .
The new army has a rather slack
discipline, and none Of the old Prus-
sian snap is seen when officers ap-
pear. Familiarity and almost inso-
lence are seen on every hand. The
German trooper has changed lot with
the revolution, and If appearances are
at all indicative, the government
forces in Germany today are not to
be feared outside Germany.
Milk Can Causes Death.
Lawton, Okla.-W. S. MantoOth,
twenty-five, well-known young far
mer near here, was instantly killed
when milk can several boys were
using as boiler exploded. Some
boys were using the milk can as
the boiler Of an improvised engine,
and Mr.. Mantooth stopped to warn
them that they had too much steam
up. Just then the boiler let go. The
= a~t.f- 4. "a