THE GERMAN ARMY.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 November 1918, Page 3

THE GERMAN ARMY.

DECAY OF DISCIPLINE,

DISMAL FOREBODINGS.

An indication of the unsatisfactory character of discipline among certain units of the German Army is afforded by the fact that certain supply trains have been again attacked by force of arms and pillaged, says the special correspondent of the “Morning Post. 5 ’ In consequence the men in charge of these trains are in future to be armed with rifles and later with light machine guns. These men will have the duties and privileges of the police. In any case of attempted pillage they will use their arms without mercy. Those guilty of attempted pillage will be sent back to their units and brought before a court-martial. In event of the men in charge of the trains not doing their duty they will be courtmartialled. The penalty for pillage is military degradation and ten years’

imprisonment. A letter recently taken from a soldier gives evidence of the sufferings that no doubt have been responsible for the attacks on trains, and at the > same time shows that the American troops are beginning to he feared by the enemy. Thus a soldier writes: “We are passing through terrible days, with death hourly before our eyes. We no longer have any hope. My company of 130 is down to 30. We are at the most awful part of the offensive, at the moment of reciprocal attacks. The Americans are in front of us. They are terrible men. During last week I have not slept 30 hours.” 'Another soldier writes complaining of the heavy losses from artillery fire and of the serious epidemic of influenza. His company as. down to 50 men.

Discussing the subject of peace, this soldier writes: —“There are rumours of peace in Germany, and we hope it will soon be over. But if the Government has its way there never will be peace, as they are still determined to conquer the whole world. Children are already being called up. We ought to stop before we are utterly demolished. The sittings of the Reichstag ought to be held here; our deputies would then lose all desire of continuing the war. But they know and see nothing of our misery. I am always hoping the French may succeed in roping us in. We should thus, at any rate, be delivered from the mortal anguish from which we ar ri continually suffering. Our strengt 1 ' is being more and more sapped, and if some day we do get home we shall be broken men.”