THE HAND OF THE KAISER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 November 1901, Page 4

THE HAND OF THE KAISER.

Mr A. G. Hales, the famous war correspondent from Wcstralia, followed the recent German manoeuvres in the interests of the London Dally Express, and has written a series of interesting articles from Dantzig. In view of his experiences with the British troops in South Africa, Mr Hales’ comparison of Tommy Atkins of England and Germany is particularly interesting. The German soldier, says Mr Hales, is a different kind of person to the British “ Tommy.” lam now only looking at the Teuton warrior of action. I have not seen him upon his native heather going through the horrofs and hardships of a sham fight, but I have seen him and cultivated him in the street, in beer-shops, in music-halls, at the theatre—whenever and wherever I could get hold of him. I was not in Germany long before I ran across Germans whom I had met in my wanderings in other lands, and they helped me to cultivate the local ‘Tommy.’ He is a good fellow as fellows go, very proud of his uniform, very proud of his Kaiser, but, above and beyond all things, In is proud of the German army. He believes in his innermost soul that the German army could, if the Kaiser so dcsired, march out of Berlin any summer morning, and go round the world with no other passport than the German bayonet. If you look at a German soldier in his gay uniform in the street I think, if you are an impartial observer, that you will at once admit that he is not nearly as smart to look at as his prototype in London city. He does not carry the same “finished” look as he moves about from spot to spot. I scarcely know how to express what I mean, but this may do for a similie. Take a first-class piece of American cutlery—a table knife a pocket knife, or a desert knife—and lay it alongside an old-fashioned blade of village manufacture. The steel in both may bo equally good, but the “finish” on the American article is in every way superior, and the article looks a better article ; it may not wear as well or it may wear better, but on appearances the American has the palm. So it is with the British “Tommy” as I know him when compared with the German soldier as I have seen him.

And yet pretty nearly every expert is agreed that the German soldier is a far and better trained man. I will not say anything about that; I am waiting. Concerning his manners, there is no doubt that the German can give our fellows points and a beating. He is neither cringing nor bullying in his demeanour. He strikes me as being a cleanminded, straightforward fellow with rather inflated ideas concerning his own capabilities as a soldier, considering how little ho has really done in the way of making history. In all his social intercourse he appears to me to carry himself with a better grace than the British Tommy. Ho argues a debatable point nosily, but not insultingly. He makes friends nicely, and as tor his love-making, it is a treat to watch him with a fraulein, for ho is a master of the art.

Small wonder the German girls are all sd fond of the German uniform. There is something in it for them. I do not like the way our Tommies do their lovemaking. Just look at the next soldier you see escorting his “fair one’’ along the street; note the way he throws out the suggestion that the girl is after him and he cannot get rid of her. You do not see that in the German fighting man.

Germans tell me that the hand of the Kaiser can bo traced in this as in so many German things. Ho has laid it down that it is a soldier’s duty to be chivalrous in demeanour as well as in heart towards womankind, and I think it is a good thing for tbe youngsters that they have an eye so watchful, and a hand so strong above them. I have noticed a good many returnee “China” soldiers dressed in khaki. I do not know why it •s, but a German soldier cannot wear khaki and look like a soldier.

While upon this question of appearances, I should like to say that a well-trained British soldier looks a soldier, no matter what habiliments you put upon him; dress him as a navvy and stand him in a row with 50 non-military navvies and a glass-eyed man could pick the trained soldier any time; but with the German it is different. He looks a soldier, and a good one, while in uniform of attractive make; but the moment ho dona the civilian clothes ho ceases to look a soldier.

Is it more that our training goes deeper or is it in the nature of the material that the difference lies ? Apply the rule to American soldiers ; you find that the man who has seen services under tbe Stars and Stripes carries the brand of the drill sergeant to the grave with him : and yet while with the colours the American discipline is not to be compared with the German for harshness; and in mere knowledge of routine work I incline to the opinion that a good German soldier can easily outpoint either an American or a British soldier.

Talk to a British or an American private when off duty about soldiering, and in most cases he will either answer you in mono-syllables or shelve the question by breaking away upon another topic : but ask a German private, and ho simply wallows in conversational trough. Ho wiT thresh it out from his point of view, his officer’s point of view, the civilian’s point of view, and then start in and compare it with ancient tactics. And all this because I think he likes being a soldier, while very few Americans or British do, even when they wear a uniform. Whether the man who likes being a soldier will prove a better fighter than the man who does not, is a question which hard knocks given and taken in good earnest must solve. As an instance of this, take our enemy the Boer. Ido not think in all the earth there is a naton, civilised or uncivilised, that detests anything and everything pertaining to the profession of arms more than the men of the South African veldt; nothing that the leaders could do would induce these men to drill or wear any kind of uniform. Yet they have proved that they can be dogged enough in all conscience during the last two years. All these German warriors with whom I have discussed the present Transvaal war, with one solit%ry exception, have informed me that the Boers are sure to win.

“You British don’t understand war,” they say, which causes me to smile, because I have a crude idea that history tells another story. “You have been two years over the job,’’ they continue with a tinge of contempt in their tones. “Just so,” I answer, “and if it takes ten more

we will still bo at it, but we will surely do it.” Then they advance this astounding theory: “You can’t go on much longer because your trade is already paralysed.” Our trade paralysed! Great Scott! To a mau who still has the unceasing roar of •nighty London in his ears this is a wonderful assertion. When I tell them that after London their beloved Berlin is like a sleepy, pretty wayside village, a joyous spot for a honeymoon or a calm old age, they touch their heads significantly, and hint that I am suffering from Britishitis in a had form.

Yet it is true; London, after Britain has been at war two years, with 250,000 men in the field of action, is a whirling torrent of trade, besides which anything I have seen in Germany is simply pitiful. Loudon is, and for a long time yet to come will be, cyclonic in trade circles. Perhaps that is the reason the German soldier does not like us—for the German soldier out of uniform Is a business persen. He does not like ns ; there is no doubt about that. One night recently I went lo the Winter Gardens. A ejmic singer came along with flattering remarks about De Wet, but did not arouse any enthusiasm, dot nearly so much as a kindly reference to the B.er leader would rouse in any good London music-hall. A little later the same person wailed a comic ditty about Earl Roberts, “Bobs,” and the audience were delighted.

No, it is not sympathy for the Boer so much as dislike for tlie Briton which touches our friends here ; hut the hand of the Kaiser keeps them in check. Ho is OUr vOry good friend, and it is not considered healthy either in Court, military, or business circles to display anti-British feelings too forcibly. The German officer I must leave for another article, suffice it to say here that I have not met one who has not proved a model of courtesy, and I am anxious to see both officers and men in action, if only mimic action.