THE GERMAN LANDWHER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2465, 28 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GERMAN LANDWHER.

(IriMJSTUVTKD N.WVL AND MILITARY G.'ZKTrB.) Tmc offset of 0 meral Ballanger's aborlivoArinv 13:11 Iris hern more far-reaching tli.-m might at first sight bo supposed. It undoubtedly provoked the introduction of the German Septennate lii.it year ; and to th.it incisure tho oh'ingps now under rlisciis'ion iiro tho natural if not incvitiiblo supplement. Tho respective fate of the French iinfl German schemes of reorganis ition is curiously illustrative of the difference between the military system of tho t'.vo countries While General Boullinker's scheme is si ill in the air, that of Prince Bismarck and his colleagues is now in full operation; and judging , from the tone of the Girai'in pres- , , the new measures appear to be almost certain of acceptance. The new Bill provides that all Genmu citizen?, fit for service, shall bo liable to be called upon until the completion of their forty fifth yp.ir. In the ordinary course, the recruit will serve 3 years with the Colours (from 2) to 23 years of age) 4 years in tho Reserve, 5 years in the first levy of the Latidwehr, 7 years in tho second of Landwelir, and 6 Tears in the second levy of tho Lindsrrum. Tho.se who, for family or other reasons, are excused from active services in li:no of peace, will be liable in the event of war until their forty-fifth yonr. From 20 to 32 years of age they will belong to the " recruiting , reserve," from 32 to 39 to the seoond levy of the L-mdwohr, and from 39 to 4-3 to the Landstrum. All these men receive a certain amount of military training during their term of service in the " recruiting reserve." Others again are drafted ab initio into the Lnndstrum, serving , in the first levy from 20 to 39, and in the second from 39 to 45 years of age. The fundamental chanire involved by the passage of the new Bill will consist in the extension of the term of service for the L'tndwehr to the thirty-ninth year. At present all men belonging to this category pass into the Lind-trum on attaining the ti'io of 3'2. Men who would now be drafted into the Landstrum will be liablo under the provisions of the new measure for eeven years' further Hervice in the Landsvehr. A large proportion of the LincKtiirm or third line of the Germin irmy. will, therefore, bo transferred into tho L'widwohr or second line — from a mote iir less inuho:ito and available force. It is estimated that by this meai)H tho Linduvhr will bo increased by about 700,000 men, of whom a considerable percentage have served tin norinil term with the colours, while all have received military training. The transference of 70 1,000 men from the Lindstnun to the LandH'chr implies an increase of the field army at tlje espouse of the purely defensive forces, and i ndicates Unit Germany is resolved to assume an energetic offensive in the event of war.