GERMANY.—The Imperial German Navy is manned largely by conscription. About 25 per cent. of the non-commissioned personnel consists, however, of volunteers, or long-service men, who have made the Navy their profession. These “professionals,” as they are called, are the backbone of the fleet. They fill all the really important posts, such as that of gun-captain, gun-layer, torpedo-gunner, leading signalman, and they are responsible for the efficiency of the conscripts under their charge. Seventy-five per cent. of the personnel is represented by conscripts mainly from the inland districts whose term of service is three years, and who see the sea for the first time after entering the Navy. Enrolment takes place each October, and after two or three weeks of rudimentary instruction on shore, they are distributed among the battle-fleet and the torpedo flotillas. Hence, at the outbreak of war, 25 per cent. of the German personnel had been under training about 34 months, 25 per cent. about 22 months, and 25 per cent. no longer than 10 months.
Owing to the limited period of service German naval training is extremely strenuous and intensive. Every effort is made to specialize, newcomers being selected for certain duties according to the aptitude they display. The German bluejacket is not a “handy man” in the sense that the British sailor is, but he is said to be efficient in his own particular groove. Discipline is exceedingly strict, and the relations between officers and men are rarely cordial.
The officers are well educated and very scientific in their methods.
FRANCE.—The French Navy is manned principally on the conscript system, but as France has a large maritime population, the majority of the naval recruits are men who have followed the sea since boyhood and who, therefore, adapt themselves very quickly to service in the Fleet. There is also a large percentage of long-service volunteers. The period of compulsory service was, until lately, two years, but under the new Law this has been raised to three years. Authorities speak highly of the French bluejacket’s intelligence and courage. Discipline is good, but not so strict as in the German Navy. The officers are, as a rule, men of high scientific attainments and very keen on their work.
RUSSIA.—The Russian Navy is manned almost exclusively by conscripts, who serve for five years afloat. Although his education generally leaves much to be desired, the Russian sailor has many excellent qualities. He is obedient, courageous, and never gets into a panic. Since the disastrous war with Japan, the Navy has been purged of many of the elements which impaired efficiency. The officers are now capable and zealous. The change which has come over the Fleet is evidenced by an “order of the day,” recently promulgated, which enjoins all naval officers never to surrender their ships under any circumstances, but to sink them if capture is imminent.
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.—The Austro-Hungarian Navy is manned by conscripts and volunteers, the former largely predominating. Four years is the period of service. The men are drawn almost exclusively from the Dalmatian coast, and represent a very hardy and courageous type. The average of education is, however, very low, the percentage of illiterates being abnormal. Although Italian is the mother tongue of the majority, German is the official language of the Navy. All-round efficiency is maintained on a high level. The officers are men of excellent education, wide knowledge, and unlimited zeal.
JAPAN.—The Japanese Navy is principally manned on a compulsory basis, the term of active service being three years. The men are excellent in every way, smart, intelligent, resourceful, and amenable to discipline. They display a wonderful aptitude for manipulating the complex mechanism of a modern warship, as was proved in the campaign against Russia. The officers are highly trained and enterprising.