The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-25 00:00:00

THE FRENCH' ARMY AND NAVY.

During recent debates in the House of Commons
reference has been repeatedly made to the military
and naval forces of France, as well as to their cost
in comparison with the sums voted under the Army
and Navy Estimates in England. On a late occa-
sion Mr. Monsell stated that " the French Estimates
for 400,000 men were £14,000,000 ;" and, contrast-
ing it with the strergth and cost of the British land
forces, drew a conclusion very unsatisfactory to the
British taxpayer. But the hon. member for
Limerick presented a very onesided and altogether
inaccurate view of the question ; for, although he
quoted the sum appropriated to the Minister of
War in the French Budget for 1862, he omitted
items of military expenditure which are included in
votes for other Ministries—Finance, State, Colonies,
Interior, and Public Works, and the counterparts
whereof are comprehended in the British Army
Estimates. Evichntly these ought not to have been
left aside, and above all things there should have
been taken into consideration the value of compul-
sory servitude in the army and navy of France—
that is to say, the value between the market price
of labour and the price paid for it by Government,
which represents a portion of the tax paid by the
nation towards its defences—a tax which is em-
phatically and truthfully called l'impot du sang.
The total land forces of France amount to 400,000
of all ranks, with 83,705 horses, and 5,657 enfans
de troupe, indepently of troops in French colonies
(besides Algeria), whose numbers are not given,
but whose cost is charged to the Navy and
Colonial Budget, and of 2,894 men, 663 horses,
in the Garde de Paris. Classing all ranks, ac-
cording to arms, in France and Algeria, and
comparing them with a similar classification of
the English forces, there will be :

England, Colo-
nies, and India,
France and England and exclusive of
Algeria. Colonies, late Company's
Troops.
Staff
Infantry . 259,811 101,230 150,123
Cavalry
Artillery 37,873 22,393 28,520
Engineers
Train
Administrative
Services -
347 1,59.1 1,561
Indian Depots in i
England f

__ 6,688

Total 400,000 146,044 212,773
Horses ....
The most remarkable features resulting from the
comparison of the above figures are the enormous
proportionate superiority of the French in cavalry,
staff, train, and administrative services. With only
twice and a half the number of foot soldiers, they
have, speaking in round numbers, five times as
, many in the administrative services—if we take as
their equivalent our hospital and commissariat staff
corps—three times as many in the train, four times
as many in the staff, and six times the cavalry that
we have, besides ten times as many horses, while
they have but one-third more in the Engineers, and
about one-half more in the Artillery. Again, in
the French service, the proportion of officers to men
is as one to 16, and in the English service as one to
19. It may be doubted if economy could be pushed
farther with prudence in this respect, for to reduce
the number of officers would be to impair the effi-
ciency and mobility of the army. They are the
pivots on which the machine turns; while, whatever
changes may be destined to take place in conse-
quence of the introduction of Armstrong guns and
Enfield rifles, there is no proof that cavalry will
play a less important part in future wars than it has
hitherto done. Such being the case, the propriety
of a further reduction of cavalry, as was proposed
in the House of Commons, may be reasonably
questioned.
The number of men that will be required to be
taken by conscription to keep up this force is 40,000
—for the infantry, 22,180; for the cavalry, 9,200;
for the Artillery, 6,720 ; for the Engineers, 1,400 ;
and for the Train, 1,500.
The army is distributed-334,310 men, with
69,809 horses in France, and 65,690 men with
15,896 horses in Algeria—namely, in France—
Staff, 4,184; Cent Gardes, 221; Imperial Guard,
including all arms, 29,890 ; Gendarmerie, 20,042 ;
Infantry, 190,669; Cavalry, 45,809 ; Artillery,
30,831 ; Engineers, 4,249; Train, 2,348; Veterans,
648 ; and administrative services, 6,148. In
Algeria,—Staff, 423 ; Infantry, 40,702 ; Cavalry,
9,990 ; Artillery, 4,057 ; Engineers, 1,826 ; Train,
2,374 ; and administrative services, 2,589,
The Staff is composed of 10 marshals, 90 gene-
rals of division in activite, and 77 in reserve ; 160
generals of brigade, and 172 in reserve, 39 colonels,
37 lieutenant-colonels, 147 majors, 150 first-cap-
tains and 161 second captains, 8 intendants-gene-
ral, 26 military intendants, and 36 in reserve, 150
sub-intendants, and 80 adjuncts. The Staff of forti-
fied places consists of 27 colonels, 19 lieutenant-
colonels, 47 majors, and 63 captains commanding,
13 majors (majors de place), 5 chaplains, 101 cap-
tains-adjutant, and 49 lieutenants-adjutant, 12
captains, 12 lieutenants, and 4 sub-lieutenants,
secretaries of archives ; and 367 porters. The
Artillery Staff consists of 33 colonels, directors of
artillery and inspectors of arms' factories, forges,
foundries, &c. ; 39 lieutenant-colonels, directors and
sub-directors, commanding artillery in fortified
places ; 84 majors, 120 first captains, aide-de-camps ;
and 15 second captains, in the central depot, mili-
tary schools, factories, &e. ; 80 captains, per-
manently attached; 120 sub-lieutenants, pupils at
Metz ; 18 professors in artillery schools, besides
various subordinates. The Engineers' Staff consists
of 29 colonels, directors of fortifications ; 29 lieu-
tenant-colonels ; 108 majors, aide-de-camps, and in
military schools ; 150 first captains of whom eight
are in the colonies ; 130 second captains, of whom
four are in the colonies; 20 lieutenants; 50 sub-
lieutenants, pupils at Metz ; 1 examiner, and 9 pro-
fessors, besides subordinates.

The Emperor's Household troops are the Cent
Gardes—a squadron of 221 strong, with 179 horses.
The Imperial Guard, composed of picked and well
trained men, is an army corps complete in itself,
numbering 29,190 all ranks, with 7,938 horses and
571 enfans de troupe. It is divided in to—
Infantry.-3 regiments of Grenadiers and 4of
Voltigeurs, or light infantry, the regiment consist-
ing of 4 battalions, each of 6 companies, and 2,200
strong ; 1 regiment of Zouaves, of 2 battalions, each
of 7 companies ; and 1 battalion of Foot Chasseurs
of 10 companies. A company is composed of 3
officers, 6 non-commissioned officers, 8 corporals, 2
drummers forming the cadre, and 66 privates, or
85 in all.

Cavalry.-2 regiments of Cuirassiers, lof Dra-
goons, 1 of Lancers, 1 of Guides, and 1 of Chas-
seurs. The regiment consists of 6 squadrons, 1,047
of all ranks, an 801 horse's. The squadron is com-
posed of 8 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, 31
brigadiers and farriers, and 4 trumpeters forming
the cadre, and 111 privates, giving a total of 154
officers and privates, with 120 horses.
Gendarmerie.-1 regiment of 2 battalions, each
of 8 companies, 1,461 of all ranks, and 1 squadron
of horse, 135 of all ranks, and 141 horses.
Artillery.-1 division on foot, of 2 batteries ; 1
regiment of Field Artillery (mottle) of 8 batteries,
1,412 of all ranks, and 90 horses ; 1 regiment of
Horse Artillery of 6 batteries, 1,114 of all ranks,
and 1,045 horses ; and 1 squadron of Artillery
Train of 2 companies, together with 210 all ranks,
with 162 horses.

Engineers.-1 division of 2 companies, 309 of all
ranks and 822 horses..

Train.-1 squadron of 4 companies, 933 of all
ranks and 26 horses.

The proportion of arms therefore in the Imperial
Guard is 19,245 infantry, 6,418 cavalry, 2,985
artillery, and 16 batteries, 209 engineers, and 933
train.

The Gendarmerie, in France-27 legions, or 92
companies, besides 1 company of veterans and 1
legion in Algeria, or 4 companies—consists of
20,042 of all ranks, of which 660 are officers,
13,235 are cavalry, and 6,147 are foot.
The Army of the Line consists of—lnfantry, 103
regiments of the Liue, 20 battalions of Foot Chas-
sours, 3 regiments of Zouaves, 3 battalions of Afri-
can Light Infantry, 2 regiments of the Foreign
Legion, and 3 regiments of Algerian Rifles—in all
357 battalions and 7 discipline companies. 95 re-
giments of the Line are stationed in France.
Each consists of 1,823 officers and privates, divided
into 3 battalions of 8 companies each. The company
is composed of 3 officers, 6 non-commissioned officers,
8 corporals, and 2 drummers or buglers, forming
the cadre, and 51 privates, or 70 in all. Eight Line
regiments have 9 depot battalions in France, and
each two battalions in Algeria, where the regiment
of 2 battalions consists of 1,974 of all ranks. A bat-
talion of Foot Chasseurs has 8 companies, each
containing 3 officers, 7 non-commissioned officers, 8
corporals, forming the cadre, and 53 privates, mak-
ing a total of 75 of all ranks. A regiment of Zouaves
has 2,7F6 of all ranks, divided into 3 battalions.
each of 9 companies. A battalion of African Light
Infantry has 5 companies, and musters 755 of all
ranks. A regiment of the Foreign Legion has 3
battalions, each of 8 companies; and a regiment of
African Rifles has 2,563 of all ranks, divided into 3
battalions, each of 7 companies.
Cavalry.--:58 regiments and 10 companies of

remonte (studs) and veterinaries—namely, 2 regi-
ments of Carabineers, 10 Cuirassiers, 12 Dragoons,
8 Lancers, 11 Chasseurs, 6 Hussars, 6 African Chas-
seurs, and 3 Spahis (Arabs). The regiments in
France consist each of 882 of all ranks and 660 horses
divided into 6 squadrons. A squadron is composed
of 7 officers, 8 non-commissioned officers, 16 briga-
diers and farriers, and 4 trumpeters forming the
cadre, and 95 privates, or 130 of all ranks, with 100
horses. A regiment of the African Chasseurs mus-
ters 1,127 of all ranks and 975 horses, divided into
6 squadrons, each of 170 all ranks and 148 horses.
A regiment of Spahis has 1,163 of all ranks,and 1,240
horses, likewise divided into 6 squadrons, each of
which numbers 177 of all ranks, and 191 horses.
Artillery.-19 regiments, 1 regiment Artillery
train, 1 regiment pontoniers, and 14 companies of
workmen. The 19 regiments give 103 field batteries
horsed (montees),7o foot batteries,32 horse batteries,
and 7 mountain batteries, numbering 28,823 of all
ranks, with 11,707 horses. The regiment of Artil-
lery train has 6 squadrons, sof 5 companies, and 1
of 10 companies(in Algeria),of 3,509 of all ranks,and
2,623 horses. The regiment of pontoniers musters
12 companies, containing 1,414 of all ranks, and 111
horses. The 14 companies of workmen number
1,152, officers and privates.
Engineers.-3 regiments in France, mustering
each 1,911 of all ranks, and 20 horses, divided in' o
2 battalions, each of 7 companies, besides a company
of workmen of 102 officers and privates. In Algeria
9 companies, and 1 of workmen.

Train.—Construction parks, 44 officers and pri-
vates ; repairing parks, 22 ditto ; 5 squadrons of 24
companies, and 4 companies of workmen.
Veterans.-1 company of non-commissioned offi-
cers, and 4 of Artillerymen-648 of all ranks.
Administrative Services.—Military hospitals, 58
chaplains, 761 health officers, 335 officers of admi-
nistration, 3,429 hospital aides; commissariat, 3,365 ;
clothing and encampment, 375 ; intendance, 340 ;
and justice 84—officers and privates.
The total amount voted for the Army under the
head of Ministry of War is £14,919,896, and " credit
essential for the inscription of military pensions,"
£BB,OOO, making a total of £15,007,896. It will be
necessary to add to this sum certain amounts in
order to arrive at the real cost of the French Army
and to be able to institute comparisons between it
and the British Army Estimates. The additions
are :—ln the Ministry of Finance, charges on the
Consolidated Fund, Marshal Pelissier's dotation,
£4,000; military pensions, £1,563,200; estimated
proportion of expenditure under the head of
" Legion of Honour," £454,503. In the Ministry
of Public Works—£24,ooo for strategical roads ;
army dotation fund, £2,268,400, obtained from
" smart " paid for exoneration from military ser-
vitude, and charges on the Consolidated Fund,
and expended in bounties, extra pay, &c. In
the Ministry of the Interior, contribution to the
Paris National Guards, £3,200; subvention to the
Gardes de Paris, £153,880 ; barracks for gen-
darmes, £92,000 ' • guardhouses, £1,200. In the
Ministry of Public Education, army chaplains,
£1,132. In the Navy, gunpowder and ordnance,
£105,364. In the Colonial Department, general,
artillery,and engineers' Steff, £24,730; gendarmerie,
engineers, train, spahis, discipline companies, and
native troops, £140,201; estimated proportion of
cost of rations, hospitals, and transports, £223,279 ;
and £71,868 for military services of barracks, en-
campment, artillery, and engineering. In the De-
partment of Algeria, for gunpowder, £11,648; army
interpreters, £B,OOO. Doubtless many other items
should be included, such as those for horse-breeding
establishments, and numerous works in Algeria.
Leaving these aside, however, as being liable to be
called in question, the items quoted and the sums
voted to the Minister of War give a total of
£20,158,501 as the cost to the State of the French.
army. Although it would be teo tedious to estab-
lish an exact comparison, because of the different
systems of keeping accounts in the two countries,
an approximation can be made out that will be
sufficient for all practical purposes, and that on the
whole will convey an accurate idea of the expenses
that figure in the French Budget and in the British
Army Estimates :

British Army
French Budget. Estimates.
£ £
Administration
Pay, provisions, fuel, &c 11,272,272 .. 6,463,048
Clothing .. . 876,431 , . 525,416
Recruiting
Movement of troops 91,014 .. 180,000
Justice 48,241 ~ 50,125
Purchase of horses"' 235,062 . , 59,466
Forage... 1,468,486 . , 482,392
Stores and factories
Education
Barracks 93,200 .. 690,159
Civil Buildings — .. 179,407
Fortifications 24,000 .. 158,185
Pensions 3,225,936 .. 2,112,808

£20,159,624 £14,606,751
When it is remembered that the French army is
recruited by conscription, that military servitude
is remunerated at a price paid by the State below
the market rate of labour, it will be evident that
the £20,000,000 sterling paid in taxes for the army
is very far from representing its full cost to the
nation. What is the amount of real cost it is im-
possible to ascertain exactly. In his evidence
before the Army Recruiting Commission the As-
sistant Under Secretary of State for War in Eng-
land said, "Conscription, which is at first sight and
superficially a cheap mode of recruiting armies, is,
in reality, the most expensive that can be adopted.
It is a tax by lot—confessedly the very worst kind.
The case is still harder with those who can-
not afford to purchase substitutes ; on them the
conscription is a tax which takes at one swoop their
whole capital—t. e. their labour and their time.
- In these cases the pecuniary amount of the
tax is represented by the difference between the
value of the conscript's labour at his own calling
and his pay as a soldier." If we take this difference
at 6d. a day—which is certainly the lowest, and in
the case of skilled labourers not a tithe of their loss
—the annual value representing the unremunerated
labour given by soldiers will be £3,935,416; for out
of the 400,000 effectives of the French army there
are 376,484 non-commissioned officers and privates,
and 23,576 commissioned officers. Consequently, the
total cost of the French army will be £24,094,040,
an amount which must appear onerous beyond mea-
sure to Englishmen, and dissipate many illusions
among them as to the disproportion between the
cost of the French and British armies.—limes.