Lauds The Bantam Soldier

1915

British Medical Journal Says the Little Fellows Are Good for Trench Work

London. — That little men have many advantages in war time over their bigger brothers is an argument advanced in the British Medical Journal.

After expressing the view that 30,000 have been lost to the army in the last few weeks owing to the present high standard, the journal says:

"Not a little is to be said in favor of short infantry. Short men occupy less room in transport. They find cover more easily and offer a smaller mark to bullets and shrapnel. They are better sheltered in trenches and require to dig less deep trenches to protect themselves.

"It takes less khaki to clothe them and less leather to boot them. The army blanket covers them more amply and they need much less food than tall, thin men to keep up their body heat and maintain their marching energy.

"Those who stand the rigors of cold climates are not always big men and the sailor, like the wind-swept tree on the coast, may be a short man. Warmth and easy conditions of life rather tend to the development of tall men.

"The cavalry and artillerymen require to be big and powerful, but as to those who burrow in the trenches, how can it matter whether they are four feet nine or five feet six? We are not out for a show and a parade, but to win a war of sieges and attrition."


Germans Advised To Save

Commerce Minister Warns People to Be Sparing With Their Grain

Paris. — The Amsterdam Handelsblad says the Prussian minister of commerce has issued a proclamation which says that although Germany is well provided with grain the people should not waste it.

"The enemy," the minister says, "are trying to starve Germany as if it were a fortress. Therefore be sparing of your bread. Remember that the soldiers would be glad to have on the field of battle the bread you waste."