Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1898 — THE SOLDIER ABROAD. [ARTICLE]

THE SOLDIER ABROAD.

The Private Is Seldom Seen in the Main Streets of German Cities. The private soldier is seldom seen in any of the leading thoroughfares of the streets of the large German cities, observed a recently returned military gentleman, to a reporter, not, however, because he would not like to be seen there, but because it is quite a job for him should he show up In a crowded street. In Europe it is different from this country, for military officers have to wear their uniforms constantly. Indeed, many of them have no other clothing. In this country it is extremely rare to see an officer In uniform, and never unless he is going or returning from some function where the uniform is necessary, and which, ns I say. Is very, very rare. There are in all of the large cities and towns of Germany hundreds and hundreds of officers. It is an imperative duty of the soldier to formally salute every time one passes, even If the same officer passes him five or ten times in an hour. The private soldier generally takes a side street, so as to avoid meeting officers, for saluting every five minutes in a day, and sometimes oftener, which would be the case should he travel in the principal streets, gets to be tiresome after it is observed for three or four hours. The soldier is nearly always loyal, and takes a pride In saluting his superior officers, but there is often too much of a good thing in military life, as there is in other walks of life. Even in the side streets he has considerable saluting to do, but nothing in comparison with what he would have to do should he venture on the largely traveled streets. The officers are very particular In insisting on salutes, and should a soldier attempt to pass them without doing military honors, on the excuse that he did not see the officer, the result would be somewhat serious to him.