GERMAN OFFICER ON OUR ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1340, 18 January 1912, Page 4

GERMAN OFFICER ON OUR ARMY.

♦_ —_ N AND ON HIS OWN. . (By Tolegratih.-SDecial Correspondents Christchureh, January 17. As an officer in the German Army, Di'. F. Schone, of Berlin, who is visiting Christchureh just now, has taken special' interest in thr discussions on the compulsory military training • scheme. Ha stated yesterday to a reporter that the impression which he received in Australia was that the scheme there had had a very good effect upon .a large number of young men who evidently were badly in need of discipline, and who certainly ought to be taugnt to obey. The proportion of men of that stamp in the Australian cities .seemed to be exceptionally large, and, from that point of view, tho scheme had much to commend it. He did not have the same impression in regard to young men in New Zealand. They were of a different stamp, and they did not show such a glaring lack of discipline. He did not know if New /Zealand intended to turn tho youtlis which it was training futo soldiers. If it did, in the event of the arrival of a hostile force—j. very remote probability—the country would have an army of youths. If tho scheme was regarded from a physical training point of new, the same ends might bo gained by exercises in the schools. In Germany the compulsory provisions came into effect at the age of 2(1, 21, and 22 years. If a young man was not physic-allj--)fit-at'2o; he came up again a year or two years later, but many young" Germans voluntarily entered the service at 17, 18, and l!l years.' By doing that they were entitled to select the regiments which they should join. They' had to servo two years in the infantry, and three in the cavalry regiments. Largo numbers of them voluntarily chose the latter. These facts showed that tho young men did not look upon the scheme with disfavour. There was no cruelty in enforcing it, and hardship was obviated as far as possible. Where two old people had a son who was eligible to serve, but who had to maintain his parents, he was relieved from tho obligation of serving. There is no general feeling against the compulsory system in Germany, Dr. Schone said. "The Socialists mako very good soldiers indeed,'' ho added with a smile. "Thero is no doubt about that,"