e Reichsland Alsace-Lorraine,
where, indeed, the number of volunteers was conspicuously great. When
the lists in various cities had to be closed, the young men who had not
been accepted turned away with tears in their eyes, and telegraphed from
regiment to regiment, hoping to find one where there were still
vacancies. Where the sons of the wealthy renounced the pleasures of
youth and the comforts of their homes to accept the hardships of war in
serving the Fatherland, the poor and the poorest appeared in like
degree. In families having four or five sons subject to military duty a
youngest son, not yet liable for service, volunteered. The year 1870,
truly a proud year in our history, saw nothing like this.

A thing that raised the national enthusiasm still higher was the
appearance of the troops in brand-new uniforms, complete from head to
foot. The first sight of these new uniforms of modest field gray,
faultlessly made, evoked everywhere the question: Where did they come
from? On the first day of mobilization dozens of cloth manufacturers
appeared at the War Ministry with offers of the new material. "We don't
need any," was the astonishing reply. Equal amazement was caused by the
faultless new boots and shoes of the troops, especially in view of the
recent famous "boot speech" of the French Senator Humbert.

Small arms, cannons, and ammunition are so plentiful that they have
merely to be unpacked. In view of all this, it is no wonder that the
regiments marching in were everywhere greeted with jubilation, and that
those marching out took leave of their garrisons with joyful songs. No
one thinks of death and destruction, every one of victory and a happy
reunion. German discipline, once so slandered, now celebrates its
triumph.

There was still another matter in which the troops gave their countrymen
cause for rejoicing. Not one drunken man was seen during these earnest
days in the city streets. The General Staff had, moreover, wisely
ordered that during the mobilization, when every one had money in his
pockets, alcoholic drinks were not to be sold at the railroad stations.
Despite this, the soldiers did not lack for refreshments on their
journey. Women and girls offered their services to the Red Cross, and
there was no station where coffee, tea, milk, and substantial food were
not at the disposal of the soldiers. They were not required to suffer
hunger or any other discomfort. The German anti-alcoholists are
rejoicing