The New York herald., 1868-02-26
The Frencb Army Biii-HIarshni Niei's
War Ontce Circular.

"nAiouS W earn tue reputation VI DelcS tue
"mildest-mannered man" in the world; but,
as If in obedience to his natural inclination,
and acting according to habit, he takes very
extraordinary means Of assuring his fellow
men Of the fact The new French Army bill,
which, In its inception and during its progress
in the Legislature. created SO much anxiety
and produced such an animated opposition
from the liberals, became law on the lst Of the
present month. Three days afterwards
scarcely permitting q breathing time to the
people-Marshal Mel, Minister of War; ordered
its execution in the terms Of an official circular
cOuched In distinct and unequivocal words,
directing them TO take immediate steps for
the organization Of the National Guard Mobile;
or, In plain language, to set to work and place
the entire male population OF the empire-with
the very few exceptions provided form mill
tary harness, and prepare them for call to
ms. The Marshal Minister Of War Is very
precise. He says
According to the provisions of article fourteen Of the
law of February 1858, the men, unmarried. widow
ers without children the 1866 1866 and 1864,
who have been liberated by the Councils Of Revision,
inose Of he class 1865 for four years.
Those OF the class 1865 for rec years
Those Of the class 1854 for two years.
Under the general denomination liberated must be
Included not only the men whom the Council OF Revl
SION has declared 10 be released from tue obligation
serve 10 the army IN consequence OF having drawn high
numbers but also those exempted BY the application of
paragraphs three, four, fve SIX aud seven OF article
rated OF those thee classes do part OF Ma
tianal Guard Mobile AZ the that corps dates
from the day OF prom of the law there arises
m mad N rnfptn
list OF tho young meu destined to This
Is to DO drawn up by the Mayor assisted by the
four municipal councillors who stand first in order.
These fuDctonaries will employ tor that purpose the
list OF tue drawings for the classes OF 1866 1865 and 1864
from which they will take the names OF the young
VINO vera either exempted IN virtue Of paragraphs three
four five, six and OF article thirteen OF the law Of
2lst March, 1882, or were liberated BY the numbers
tuey drew
Tie communal officials are enjoined to dis
charge their duties with "celerity" and scare"
thus -
invite you TO communicate the above dispositions
the mayors of your department, and invite them
exercise the greatest care ana CELEBRITY tho compost
ton OF those lists You will GsS not fail tc explain to
"a, popusaon tina. these operations are only intended
bile, without The young men being required for the
present to assemble
The only saving words in the circular are
"without the young men being required for
the present to ass 3mble;l and on these words
and their Interpretation BY the Emperor, it
national repose of France and the peace Of
Europe-perhaps the peace Of the civilized
world.
The "young men" Of France will not be
required "to assemble for the present !" but
what period Of time is Napoleon's present?
pose will they be assembled The "young
men of France" constitute very formidable
body just now; for the males born on the
day of the proclamation Of the empire are
sixteen years old, and just the stuff to make
good soldiers, ready, when placed by the
side Of veterans, to undertake to carry the
imperial eagle into the heart of any Of the
neighboring capitals and strike for the baton
Of marshal just as energetically as did their
ancestors before and on the field Of Waterloo.
Disguise the fact as he may, Napoleon is
arming France Vague hints are thrown out in
the columns Of the ministerial press of Paris to
the effect that France is 10 danger Of invasion,
and that the Executive is merely adopting
precautions for selfdefence. The truth is,
Napoleon finds that North Germany over
shadowed his military prestige, clouded it, per
haps, permanently, by . quiet observance Of
the rule "in time OF peace prepare for war y
and he seeks. in the first place, to retrieve his
position, and, should reasonable opportunity
occur, subsequently demonstrate openly to the
world by great war that France has not
dcgenerated in her martial prowcss or military
power under his rule.
1t may indeed be said that this course has
become almost personal as i; is certainly q
dynastic necessity with Napoleon. His politi-
cal name and military fame have been tsrnished
considerably by the diplomacy and action OF
Bismarck, the flank movement made by Italy
on Austria during the German campaign,
and the sudden subsidcnce OF Francis
Joseph before the needle gun. The Paris
Exhibition, the imperial visits, the Cabinet
coquettng with South Germany, and the
attitude observed by France towards Turkey
and the East generally since The termination Of
the German war, failed to restore him to his
position. The Emperor has seen the old alli-
ances OF the European countries dissolve to
great extent; but the German war aissipatod ail
bis calculations as to the probable tendency of
the new formations. They are not sssurcdly
with France--France under Bonaparte-and
hence II may be that, estimating Bonaparte as
France, after the manner OF his uncle he may be
preparing TO teach her to trust herself alone"
and see il she cannot conquer with the Chasse-
pot, her iron-clad. and . reorganized National
Guard. Q new standing and friendships, which
will induce and enable her to transmit the
crown to bis son without internal revolution.
If such be his intention the day Of experiment
Ia not far distant. Marshal Niel's circular an
nounces in approach, and the industry OF
Europe remains paralyzed by the exer!ions
which the neighboring Powers are compelled
to make In arming to meet IL.
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