The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-12-31
REORG 4NIZATION. OF THE TRENCH
ARMY.


RG.4NIzATION OF THE FRENCH
ARMY
Our readers have, from time to time, been
informed, through our telegraphic dispatches,
of a great change now in progress of execution
in the organization of the French army. For
better understanding of this important topic,
we propose to give them synopsis, prepared
from late numbers of la Patlic and other
sources" "
The late war in Germany doubtless must be
looked upon as the immediate cause Of this re-
form. Prussia had long enjoyed great repu-
tation for the excellence Of her military system; !;
but the world at large was satisfied to make
this general acknowledgment, just rs the supe-
riority of the Prussian system Of common
schools is conceded. The military prowess of
Prussia had to be demonstrated in a short,
brilliant and decisive campaign, such hs we
saw last summer, before her ncighbors began
to see the Importance Of taking example Of
their formidable rival, to look within and set
their own houses in order. IA.
This influence has been felt in the war office
of every capital in Europe, but was entered
upon more promptly, and with more energy in
France than by any other power may
mean something more than merely TO have q
large number Of well-drilled battaions with
breech- loading arms. We're tnot TINT the In
dusral Exhibition precludes all ideas Of a
European war during the next twelve months,
we might very reasonably have anticipated
lively work on tile banks Of the Rhine and the
blue Moselle.
The following comparative statistics will
prove interesting in this connections
The population of France, in 1866 was estima-
effective force of the army, peace footing, was
fixed at 40O, ,0O0 while the footing it would
amount to 757,727 men. Prussia, in 1866, had a
population of 49, O00, ,o0O or just about one-haf of
the population of France. In time Of peace it's
standing army was 208, ,518, about one-haR Of the
french army and therefore in the samo proper
ton to the total popuaton but wheneverit it should
become necessary to put the army On o war foot
ing, Prussia could, within few weeks, bring into
the field thoroughly disciplined army Of eo9,0 600
men, or, if the reserve troops were added, OF
714,000 men; thus equaling France in tho number
OF her soldiers, Notwithstanding the double num-
ber of inhabitants in the latter country
In consequence Of the war, 10000,0D0 Of other
Germans are to form, with Prussia, the North
German Confederation. The most important OBJ
iect Prussia had in view in establishing this Con-
- i
States with that Of Prussia. This point has been
secured even before the meeting of Tho North
Gorman Parliament, and PRUSSIA, as i military
power represents, therefore, population Of
20 600 600 Of mon. She is straining evay nerve to
complete the introduction of her entire military
system into the minor States. This bdng accom-
q plished Prussia would have on the Pace footing
an army of over 800, 000 and, in tinoof war, an
effective force OF moro than 100000 men. No
one moreover, doubts that the Souh German
States which have u population Of s, GOO, must
very soon drift into o union with tlD Northern
Confederation, and in case of q foreign war, they
would even now be almost sure to go hmd-in-hand
with Northern Germany. Their annexttion would
raise Tho Prlssian army to The graid total Of
1900 900. -i.
Such being the formidable attitude of her
Eastern neighbor, it was natural tat France
should feel anxious for her fronier. The
Military Commission was charged with the
task of dovising measures for changing this
relative disproportion. The repot of the
Commission has not yet been PUBLISHED. 1t
has been rumored that they designed raising
the army to 100000 men, but tint the dis
content with this .naasure was suclameng all
Glasses of the population, that it aud to be
abandoned. La Patrie, however, still maintains
that this is the outline of the plan. There will
:, be permanent. nt.sanding army Of 10000 men,
and contingent force Of, 100000 ble bodied
men,. well drilled, and all belonging'o period
of life when the physicnl quaitieshaye their
highest degree Of development.
The duration of military service vii thus be
increased to ten years; Il larger lumber Of