CURRENT TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6729, 26 February 1900, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS.

Although in. the opinion the value of many people the war in of honours. South Africa has only just begun, the " Spectator " is already asking how* the nation proposes to reward its army. It is now everywhere recognised, we are told, that the soldier is best paid for doing his duty with a strip of ribbon, a pecuniarily valueless medal, or a glittering star. The decoration has replaced the gift of money. Even in the' United States, where decorations are unknown in theory, it is generally felt that a lsoid with an active army must repair such a vital omission from its Constitution. The kisses which were said to be showered upon Lieutenant Hobson, and the sword of honour given to Admiral Dewey, represent the gradual triumph of the theory that a grateful people can ; best repay military service by such honours. A man who is rewarded with land or money is liable to lose the very qualities whicti gained him distinction. Mr Winston tells a striking story of the driver oftbe famous i armoured train, which well illustrates the | intense desire of most men for honour. I " His face was cut open by a splinter, and he complained in bitter futile indignation. He wae a civilian. What did they think he was paid for? To be killed by bombshells? Not he. , He would not stay another minute. It looked as if his excitement and misery would prevent him from working the engine further, and as only he understood the ma- ( chinery, all chances of escape seemed to be cut off. Yet when this man, who certainly exhibited lively symptoms of terror, was told that if he continued to stay at his post he would ba mentioned for distinguished gallantry in action, he pulled hinuelf together, wiped the blood off his face, climbed back into the cab of his engine, and thereafter during the one-sided combat did his duty» bravely and faithfully, so strong is the desire for honour and repute hi the human i brwist." But it must not be supposed that ii-is only tho.hope of winning a decoration ! or of being -mentioned in despatches "thai! urges gallant men to face death in the trenches or on the hillside. The most arduous tasks and many of the bravest deeds i of war, must be performed where the eye of the commanding officer cannot see. As I Montaigne puts it, " A man is not always at the top of a breach, or at the head of an army in sight of liis general, as upon a platform." The love of fame is a worthy motive, hut it comes second in the soldier's breast to his sense of duty, and it is well I for the greatness of the British Empire that it is $o. The French are always try--1 soldiebs ring military experiments on Their latest novelty is the stilts. . ." stilt corps,'' organised from the non-commissioned officers and men of the 34th Infantry Regiment. Everyone ha-s heard of the peasants of the marshy "Landes," who, for ages pas', have made uee of stilts when following their flocks. But of late years the unhealthy marshes have been die-appearing, having been drained or dried up, while extensive forests of firs, planted gradually in the waste lands, yield a considerable revenue. Yet the art of scilt-walkipg has not been ajjowed to die out, and there was no difficulty in raising a body of men willing to mount themselves in thes grotesque fashion. They v»-erc able to move at a great pace, and to by a military telegraph line more rapidly than can be dono by soldiers similarly employed on horseback. TJie ease with which they covered the ground witli giant strides, pla-ut- , ing the pot'is and fitting the wires, has excited coiisiderable comment in military qir- | cles, while the wieb is expressed that this ingenious idea should be given a very. f*uil trial, as it might- prove to be of use to an army in the held in various ways. In other respects, apart 'from laying a field telegrapji, the use of stilts might be adapted, it is suggested to further purposes of war; for example, in crossing a river unfordable to infantry, and when precious time would be lost in constructing a pontoon bridge. iVgain, men on stijts might tske the place of mpupted isr' "try on favourable ground, with the w aona-1 gain of n.o^ fer^ compelled to find, or carry, food for the horses. An old army oli-wii*, iu.«u.i;g <n the .experiment, is .ssj.d to have exclaimed : " Gr eatb heavens ! I .cannot imagine my old battalion parading before me on .sfcijts. Yet men on wheels already. exist. Why not en sticks also? Picture to yourselves a regiment on the march, some men on stilts, others pn cycles, jjrhile the remainder follow, with the regimental transport, in mo-tor-care. Surely the shade of Napoleon would arise from his tomb at the Invalids, in utter amazement, to rebuk? theai."' It is intended to organise a sitfall conipany of Landes peasants ih order .to test the utility .of the idea -in eveiy possible way. The niea are expert enough, and no doubt in their own district would be of tjie very greatest Assistance in war. But-standing as they do .cix feet from the ground they cculd no t fail to be conspicuous targets for an enemy's rifle men, and on rough, hilly ground they I would probably be useless. Y.et it is signi- I ficant .that the French Aj-^ny "QepaKniont | should seriously entertain a notion thj t \ would seem to a British officer more than ! absAird. Bppidity of moveius-nt is iooktd i upon as essential in an army, and Cqntinen- I tai tacticians are not likely to overlook any ! possible means of .attaining that end. i