The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-05-23
Soldiers Slack in Discipline and
Show Familiarity Toward
/ Officers.
Old ARMY HAS DISAPPEARED
About 10000 Men Commanded BY Hin,
denbura About yAiI That Remains
OF Great Host---Reyolution
Changes German Troops.

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 oppose.
tlon when disorders break out.
Noske's appointment as head OF the
navy, as well as the army, was regard
sdk none TOO seriously. by Noske him.
3Eelf, Ut least. When asked by 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
va haven't any navy?"
There are still sailors in big mum.
bers in Germany, however, and they
have been 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 OF 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 IL 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 ali over the land. none was re-
tAponsirle to anyone, and officers were
not safe in Uniform. In localities the
soldiers joined 'fRed 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 a few divisions
under Hindenburg, camped behind the
Rhine, and the troops along the Polish
border. 4
Now the only army Of the field that
Germany has Is in the east to guard
against the Poles. II is commanded
~ Hindenburg and Is supposed TO b
NOT more than 10000 or 10000 men,
II II 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 trenen-
dously until 4 great part Of the for
per efficiency is restored.
Depends on Peace Terms.
Germany's army Is in q transitory
state What II will become depends
upon the peace terms, the Germans
recognize. But. there has evidently
been change in idea in the govern
nnent. Early in the revolution Ebert
declared himself against conscrlpted
army. and Noske and Reinhard were
appointed to organize volunteer forces.
serving for short periods, to defend
the new government. As matter Of
fact the troops used for interior de.
tense are all volunteers, mostly young
men, serving for three or six months
ut gsed pay. sss=sagsss
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 1t is pointed out that Ger
many Will not abolish CONSUMPTION IN.
less The neighhoring nations do. Since
the Germans do not expect their neigh
bors to depend on volunteers, plans
are being worked out for new con-
scription, army. serving shorter periods
and modelled more after the Swiss
fhan 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
hundred thousand men, or possibly
4 few thousand more, IL an expensive
proposition. Volunteers have to be
paid wall 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 n1d Prus-
sian snap is seen when officers APP
pear. Familiarity and almost inso-
lence are seen on every hand. The
German trooper has changed LOT with
the revolution. and il appearances are
Mt all Indicative, the government
, fa-rsS IN Cerma,,v today are not IN
be feared outside Germany.