14 MAY 1910, Page 25

Germany of the Germans. By Robert M. Berry. (Sir Isaac

Pitman and Sons. 6s.)—We need hardly say that this book is interesting throughout. We may take as a specimen the chapter on the Army, as dealing with a subject which is outside our experience. Recruits for the cavalry, horse artillery, and mounted rifles have to serve three years ; in the other arms, two. As Reservists they have two and three years respectively; in the Landwehr, eleven ; in the Landsturne six. The Reservists are called out every other year. About ten thousand annually, on producing a certificate of advanced education, have their service reduced to one year. The usual pay is 6s. 51d. per month (in the Guards 9s. 71d.) ; the lodging and food are good. Not quite half of the recruits are rejected as unfit for service. Of the half accepted, three-fifths are fully qualified, the rest being put into a certain Reserve. The average stature is 5 feet 51 inches. Of those qualified for service, recruits from small villages (under two thousand) are 64.15 per cent.; from cities of one hundred thousand and more the proportion sinks to 6.14 per cent.