LOSSES OF GERMAN OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2482, 8 June 1915, Page 5

LOSSES OF GERMAN OFFICERS

GUARDING THE EXCLUSIVE OASTE London, June 4. ' "Eye-Witness," with the British Headquarters, says: The German Government has taken special steps to remedy the enormous wastage m officers, and not interfere with the jeal-ously-guarded rule to retain the exclusive caste. The principle of promotion from the ranks nominally operates. Non-coms., for brilliant services, can be raised to the rank of actingofficer. In practice, however, such promotions are extremely rare. The regulation is merely intended to give tho impression that this democratic principle is_ recognised. A new practice of appointing reserve officers who need not remain in the Army after the war ha? been adopted. Inferior status docs not affect the exclusiveness of the officer caste. Two additional ranks have been oreated. They are' not etjiial to tho commissioned rank, but involve tho permanence of officers' duties. It is evident that n,ot even frightful wastage has seriously impaired tho dominance of the officer caste; the strain of the campaign, tho losses suffered without adequate _ result, and the failure to achieve victories have not shaken popular faith in the military hierarchy controlling the destiny of Germany. Curiously, the German official description of the Ypres battles does not mention the use of gas. It is possible that public, opinion "is not sufficiently educated to approve its use; it is more probable the Government, with an «tye to the future, does not desire to publicly confess that it has been first to adopt such - measures—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services.