South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-06
PEACE EXISTENCE
GREATER STRUGGLE
THAN WAR FIGHT
Members of Monster German
Forces Now Seeking For
tunes In Civil Labor.

BERLIN. A5rl 1s-CBy Mail.)-
Fighting FOR postwar existence in
civilian life has proved more har-
raising than the fortunes Of the bat
tleheld 20 many OF the thousands OF
German officers who survived the
war They numbered SOME 500 600
az the time ~ the armistice While
the majority held only wartime
commissions there were large
number % veterans for whom the
lifting smoke Of the conflict revealed
that they had suddenly been uproot-
ed from their chosen careers and
forced TO begin afresh in new fields
u was especially difficult for the
aged officers. who were no longer
vigorous and adaptable enough To-
battle effectively in an economic
maelstrom already burdened with
keen competition.
The German army and navy in
peace times included an active Of
ficers' corps OF $3.50. Of whom So.
$50 were in the military forces.
When the war broke out. this list
was augmented by 100000 Of those
who were retired or on reserve. In
addition there was the commissioned
STAFF Of the medical branches num-
berlng 33 fo6 The total loss IN the
corps amounted 20 about $1,000
killed and e6.213 wounded.
Since the Treaty Of Versailles per
mitted the retention or but 1000
officers IN the Reichswehr. a vast
majority Of the war survivors be-
came factors for absorption - civil
ian pursuits Today they are 10 be
found in nearly every walk OF life,
some having even resorted to the po-
sitions OF waiter and porter in order
% gain a livelihood. Some were con-
nected with trade. labor. or industry
through family ties and thus found
situations mparatively easily. 9th
ers returned 10 official position. and
a part enlisted In the newly-organ-
tzed Security Police.
A considerable section OF the eX-
officers turned TO university callings;
particularly could they he seen at
judicial and medical lectures and in
polytechnic schools. In the first
period OF transition. some worked in
subordinate executive positions as as
sistants and some at manual labor.
even as miners.
There are none OF the larger bank
ing and industrial concerns today I'm
which former officers are not active.
In some banks one runs across an
occasional general Former STAFF Of
fcers were in position 20 receive
tempting industrial offers because OF
their unusual preparation and their
Il
before the war. officers were in de-
mand in the insurance field as in
Spectors and agents. and this mum Der
has been nOtlceably increased The
AUTOMOBILE industry. too. has attract
ed many Detective agencies and
warehouses have employed them in
divers capacities.
In short. the huge network Of Ger
rnany's trade. commerce. and indus
try is fairly dotted with these for
mer heads OF companies. battalions,
and other units in the old and war
time armies They are in the mines,
metal works. machine factories. cleo
trio plants. technical offices. quar-
ries. and export houses; some have
drifted 10 the film industry
me FORMER uEEeoIls-iilrtJbI III the
army have condescended 10 he mere
medical men or have become special
lists in their profession. Many went
into the chemical industry or took
places in hospitals. Officers blinded
In the war were mostly instructed at
the School for Blind at Marburg.
where they studied political econ
omy and simultaneously learned type
writing and stenography.
Certain OF the officers who. after
the close OF the war. resolved 20 be-
gin life anew as settlers in some for
elgn land. are reported 20 have had
really unhappy experiences. Some
died miserably after sore privatiOn;
while some few others succeeded in
getting back TO the Fatherland. Only
a small minority made real progress
abroad Very few left the country
however. II is said. and the charge
that German ex-oficers since the
war have Joined foreign armies ana
navies Is regarded here as IN
founded
The marked ansformation iV
mode OF living has variously affected
the family life Or ex-officers not al
OF whom can maintain their former
social status. For example. there Is
the welI-known First Lieut. RerE
who in the world war was the com
rrarder OF the "Appam." taken rs q