The Bismarck tribune., 1922-06-09
IEX-0IF'F'ICERS0F7 ]
GERMAN ARMY
ARE UNHAPPY !
Former SurgeOn-MajOrs Have
Now Condescended To Be-
come Mere Medical Men
FEW LEFT THEIR COUNTRY

FEW LETT IHElK COUNTRY
Berlin, June g. 9.-Fighting for a post.
war existence in civilian life has
proved more harrassing than the for
tunes Of the battlefield to many of the
thousands of German offi(ers who
survived the war. They numbered
some 100000 at the time of the arm
istice. While the majority held only
wartime commissions there were a
large number Of veterans for whom
the lifting smoke of the conflict re-
vealed that they had suddenly been
uprOoted from their chosen careers
and were forced to: begin afresh in
new fields. It 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. ...,~" e, -
The German army and navy in
peace times included an active Of
ficers' corps Of S., $50, of whom $1,000
were in the military forces. When
the war broke out, this list was aug.
mented by 100000 of those who were
retired or, on reserve. In addition
there was the commissioned staff of
the medical branches numbering 3d.
4O6. 7!ThE total loss in the corps
amounted to about 5000 killed and
96.213 wounded. ~. " ;,rt
Some Walters, Porters.
I. Since the Treaty of Versailles per-
mitted the retention of but 1000 Off
Gers in the Reichswehr, vast major
ity of the war survivors became fac
{brs f6r absorption in civilian pur-,
suits. Today they are to be found in
Nearly every walk OF life, some hav-
ing even resorted to the positions of
waiter and porter in order to gain a
livelihood Some were connected
with trade, labor, or industry through
family ties and thus found situations
comparatively easily. Others return
ed to official positions, and a part en-
listed in the newly-organized Security
Police. ..,.-
A considerable section of the ex-
officers turned to university callings;
particularly could they be seen at ju-
dicial 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 in
which former officers are not active.
In some banks one runs across an Oc
casional general. Former staff Off.
GERS were in position to receive
tempting industrial offers because of
their unusual preparation and their
knowledge OF languages. Already be-.
fore the war, officers were in demand
in the insurance field as inspectors
and agents, and this number has been
noticeably increased. The automO-
bile industry, too, has attracted many.
Detective agencies and warehouses;
have employed them in divers capaci-
ties. In short, the huge network Of
Germany's trade. commerce and in
dustry 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, elec-
tric plants technical offices, quarries,
and export houses; some have drifted
to the film industry. y H..'' e." .a
The, former surgeon majors In the
army have condescended to be mere
medical men or have become special
lists in their profession. Many went
into the chemical industry or took pla-
ces in hospitals. Officers blinded in
the war were mostly instructed at the
school for blind at Marburg where
they studied political economy and
simultaneously learned. typewritine
and stenograhpy. s
Some Died kiiserably
fsCertain of the Nofficers who, at the
cSbse OF the war resolved to begin
lne anew as settlers in some foreign
l5.hd, are reported to have had really
unhappy experiences. Some died mis-
1rably after sore prfvation; while
same few others succeeded in getting
back to the Fatherland. Only small
minority made real progress abroad.
Very few left the country, however, 1t
ii said, and the charge that German
ax1officers since the war have joined
forai6n 5armiey. .Gnd naSaes s'assTegarded
here as .unfOunded. =.
The marked transformation in mode
Of living variously affected the family
life of Officers, not all OF whom
can maintain their former social sta
tus. For example, there is the case
Of the well-known First Lieutenant
Berg. who in the world war was the
commander of the "Appam," taken
az a prize ship by the ''Moewe." Tie
obtained a situation in Hamburg leav'
ing his wife and children in the Dan
ish town of Apenrade, formerly Ger
man. With his slender income Berg
was unable to meet the cost OF his
family's upkeep, which became IN
creasingly high due to the DANISH
standards OF valuation. He finally
killed himself when the family had
been reduced to want.
One Buys Tax'cab
Individual instances Of resourceful-
ness were of everyday occurrence.
One lieutenant used his last resources
to buy a taxicab which he and his
former orderly drove alternately.
Now the taxi belongs to the orderly
and the lieutenant can devote to study
the humble receipts of MS enterprise:
Three U-boat officers combined and
bought a small sailing cutter, which
thew ply as freighter between Ger
man and Scandinavian ports. They