The New York herald., 1922-03-02

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based on dissatisfaction for what
they received during the war.
A careful study of just what has
been done by the principal Govern
ments shows. First, That while gra-
tuities were given by the European
Governments at the time Of demobili-
zation these were based on the length
and character of service and thus
varying in the case of each man.
Second, The gratuities were COM
paratively small and were accorded
at the time of demobilization on the
theory of enabling the soldiers to
tide themselves over until they could
obtain employment.
Third, That justification is OF
fered for European gratuities by the
very low rates of pay received by
soldiers compared to what American
and even British soldiers were paid.
The other countries only paid their
men about one-fourth Of the Ameri.
can rate during the last few months
of the war
Practically every country has a
graduated scale of pensions for dis
abled men which provide these with
just sufficient means to maintain a
moderate living standard without re-
gard to previous rank. These pensions
have been supplemented in most cases
by free hospital treatment, educational
courses and reduced railroad fares.
Ex-soldiers who were physically fit
did not receive pensions but got Gov
ernment assistance in finding employ
mcnt.
British Awards for Merit.
AS soon as the war terminated King
George Of England issued an army
order setting forth the sums to be given
as war gratuity, but affecting only those
who were discharged from the army as
physically sound. These awards were
purely in the nature of reward In
proportion to length OF service and
merit. The minimum length of service.
except where a portion was spent over
seas in the war. was six months. and
the minimum amount payable as a
gratuity was f2 for privates. and in
creasing with rank up to f15 for SER
geant-major.
Soldiers who had completed more than
two years service in the war received In
addition the following sums for each
month beyond the first twelve, subject
to maximum addition to 4S, such
monthly increments corresponding to a
total gratuity covering five years of war
II VII -f.n
lings per month for overseas service and
shillings per month for home service.
Thus f39 would be the maximum a war
rant officer could get.
Commissioned officers obtained the
following gratuities: Second lieuten-
ant, f35 lieutenant, f40 captain, f45
major. eco; lieutenant-coloneI f100
brigadier-general, f140: major-general,
f200. lieutenant-general. 1870.
Officers commissioned for more than
one year received an addition for each
months service up to forty-eight months
IL In service overseas. This consisted of
FL per month for the ranks to which
gratuities Up to f75 were allowed and f2
per month for higher grades up to
colonel and f3 for generals command
ing. If officers had not been engaged
overseas, monthly increments at half
tneSe rates were paid.
For those discharged as disabled each
case was determined on its own merits.
medical. advisory and pension boards
having wide powers to fix pensions. Spe-
cial schools were opened for training
war victims for new careers. These we're
opened in some cases to fit men who on
returning to their homes found condi-
stions changed so that they were no
longer able TO find employment.
For the seriously disabled free hos
pital treatment is provided on the
presentation OF pension papers, but in
cases of emergency ex-soldiers dis
charged as At are given treatment In
military hospitals
French Basis Length OF Service.
Frances war bonus fixed for officers
and prvates alike is based on the length
of service in the trenches and behind the
lines. The base sum taken was $50
francs. with 25 francs given for each
months trench service and Is francs for
communication units or rest camps. To
this is added In the case OF privates a
small sum known as the daily "pecule.
whicl. Is given only for service at the
front and which did not exceed 200
france for those who had served the
A special allowance was given TO SOL
diers with which to replenish their ward
robe. but this was only Sc francs. TAX
ing all details into consideration. the
bonus was never more than 1000 francs.
while the average probably was not more
than 500. Some special considerations
were given. however. such as n mora
torium untIi April of this year. during
which rents could not be raised, and
after that this question is subject to
special arbitration, while the soldiers
were not compelled to pay any taxes
during the war. The latter did not af-
feet officers. however, who were COM
PEELED to pay income tax on their army
pay.
The French have an elaborate schedule
for disability pensions, with the maxi
mum now 5000 francs n year for total
disability. but In order to obtain this a
man must be absolutely helpless. such
as blinded in both eyes and one limb
missing. Pensions are granted on n
strict percentage basis, with 100 francs
q year added for eacn child under 16
years.
The French soldiers pay nj the begin
ming of the war was only one eou a day,
but this was raised to Ave sous late In
1916.
Belgium's bonus for officers and SOL
diers alike was considerably more gener-
GUS than that OF the French, although
the fixed indemnity was only 100 francs.
To this the following items were added /:
twenty-five francs for each years SER
vice In the army 75 francs for each