Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1918 — Allied Armies Are Democratic [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Allied Armies Are Democratic

Spirit <sf Comradeship in Canadian Forces Tupical of That Prevailing Among-All Troops Opposing Germans

7 T HERE is a story told of the colonel of a certain regiment of British troops who was addressing the men under his command just prior to their Inspection by a well-known English general. After the colonel had explained to the men the details of the inspection, hls closing remark was, “Now, when tlfe~general is here stand still, don’t spit, and for God’s sake don’t call me ’Bill.’ ” > There may or may not be any truth In this-story, but It is wonderfully typical of the men that comprise the British expeditionary forces, whether they are in France, Mesopotamia, Serbia, Saloniki, Russia or any other part of the globe. Never in the history of the world has there been such democracy as 'exists in* the ranks of the allies fighting in France today. The young second lieutenant whose, ancestry perhaps dates back to some Norman noble who landed in England with William the Conqueror, Is eating, sleeping, working and fighting side by side with the coster from Whitechapel or the laborer from the Liverpool docks. And the beautiful part of the whole thing is that they are comrades in reality as well as in name. The ponderous German military machine was evolved from the traditions and experiences of- a nation fed upon war and the idea of war for centuries, and the bedrock principles of ruthless discipline and-the breeding of an ‘officer caste’ with the iron power to rule, savagely if necessary, were adopted as the starting points of military efficiency. Yet the war has shown that in many ways the German system of army building is entirely wrong—that discipline and democracy can exist side by side, and that the unthinking armed mannequin of German creation is no match for the soldier whose power of Initiative has been fostered and developed by more humane arid encouraging training methods. The Canadian army corps is a splendid case in point, more especially in view of the magnificent record for bravery and endurance which it has maintained since the first gas attack at Ypres in 1915 gave it immortality. Nearly 90 per cent of the Canadians are volunteers —men who gave up their positions in offices, factories, on farms and in mines to fight, for an ideal —liberty. Few had even rudimentary notions of military training, yet so keen were they to get to France and so capable was the organization devised to meet ,an unprecedented situation that well within two months after the outbreak of war no fewer than 33,000 men, fully equipped and partially trained were i dispatched to England. History will record this fact as one of the greatest military efforts of all time —a triumph for democracy as opposed to the Potsdam principle. Since the beginning merit has been the only path to promotion in the Canadian army; position, influence or wealth cannot alone- bring advancement. As a consequence many peculiar and sometimes humorous situations arise. For instance, in one regiment the commanding officer and the senior major are both sons of one of the noncommissioned officers in the same regiment. Just one other case: A millionaire manufacturer who is a corporal was walking along a road in Flanders. A major approached and recognition was mutual. The major had been a bookkeeper in the millionaire’s factory prior to the war. Now the millionaire calls him ‘sir* and salutes him, and does it willingly and cheerfully. V The fine spirit of comradeship, often amounting to friendliness, that exists between officers and men, characteristic of a country free from Caste prejudices, .in no way impairs discipline or efficiency as the record of the Cana•dians in the field so amply proves. The

men appreciate, the privilege of free speech with their superiors, but never abuse it, apd any man with a legitimate complaint can always get a ready and sympathetic hearing. This system has fostered a spirit of mutual trust, loyalty and confidence which has prompted some of the most heroic deeds of the war. The high standard of education and Intelligence accounts in a great measure for the extraordinary- adaptability of the Canadians to new and varying styles of warfare and for their ability to spring many painful surprises upon the Hun in the shape of ‘ruses de guerre.’ Raiding, which is now recognized as essential for intelligence purposes, originated with them and has been developed to such an extent that the Germans have found it necessary to issue frequent anny orders warning commanders to be * particularly watchful when opposed to the Canadians. General von' Arnim, In command of. one of the German northern

armies, 'is almost brutally frank In his allusions to Canadian aggressiveness and practically admits that it would be hopeless to try and develop a similar degree of initiative among German .troqps, who must' never think, but obey. His published orders, several of which have been found on prisoners at various times, are strong testimony to the spirit which animates and guides the Canadian army—the spirit of democracy impelling each man to bear his burdens cheerfully and willingly, to be loyal to his officers and to the traditions of British chivalry and justice. ' The days of slave-driven armies are over and the old savage spirit Of mill-' tartsm that forfeited men’s lives in millions to the god of war Is about to be crushed once and for all—a happy result made possible to a great extent by volunteer forces led and not driven to fight, waging war not for war’s sake or lust of conquest hut for the freedom of the world. _