We have discussed elsewhere the atrocious case of mili- tary
privilege which has caused two days' debate in the German Parliament. Lieutenant von Briisewitz was sitting in a café, when an artisan named Siepmann pushed Tatber rudely past his chair. The Lieutenant demanded an apology, which was refused, and the artisan left the room. 'The Lieutenant, drawing his sword, followed, and as the artisan fled ran him through the back, killing him on the spot. Lieutenant Briisewitz was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, but as he is an officer the sentence must be ratified by the Emperor, and it is evident from the angry speech of the Minister of War that it will be disallowed. The comments in Parliament were most bitter, the affair being denounced as rather murder than manslaughter, and Englishmen will, we imagine, heartily endorse the denun- ciation ; but it seems that nothing can be done, and that Deputies, most of whom have been or are officers, are un- willing to compel an alteration in the system. The truth seems to be that the officer caste is paid in privileges, one being exemption from the laws, and that the Government is afraid to meddle with a system which attracts the whole body of the upper classes into the Army.
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