The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-20
FRANCE.
Her Military Institutions Reviewed by one of
the Orleans Princes-The American and
Prusso-A Austrian Rnrs.


the Orleans Prinoes-The American and
- Prusso- Austrian " nrs.
Early in 1869 the Due d'Aumale published q
treatise on the Military Institutions of France,
in which he traced their history through the
various stages of progressive improvement from
the time of Louvois until the present. From
the opening and closing chapters of this work
we take the following interesting extracts
About hundred years ago Europe was some
what surprised to learn that she possessed an
additional military power, and that this power
had cTept into the front rank. 1t was not, as
in the days of Gustavus Adolphus, a dazzling me-
teor flashing across universal chaos only todis-
appear after having filed the world with Its bril-
liancy; it was the smallest, poorest, youngest of
monarchies, fghing in succession the most cele-
brated armies. Not only did she gain victories
and know how to profit by them, but she was
able, without entirely succumbing, to lose occa-
sionally several points in the terrible game of
war: she could bear up against reverses, renew
the struggle after defeat and finally call back
victory to her colors. In the eighteenth century,
when the solution of the most difficult problems
was freely sought after, phenomenon so re-
markable could not appear without giving rise
to tie most diverse commentaries. In addition
to those who simply paid homage to the genius
and tenacity of Frederick, or who recognized
in him crowned philosopher, there were ad-
yocates for all the details OF Prussau orgauza-
tion and tactics some praised the ''oblique for
nation, others the iron ramrod; while some pro-
found minds decided that if we used the cane to
our soldiers, we need never again fear the
humiliation of Rosbach. All these were, to
certain extent, right and wrongs severe disci,
pline, scientific evolutions, improved arms-all
had their share in the success of the Prussau
armies; but these were merely the elements, the
component parts of great whole, and it was
this whole which it was necessary to grasp and
study. The truth was, that the large intellect of
Frederick had found powerful instrument, in
the system of military institutions merely
sEetched out by his predecessors and which he
developed, completed, and adapted to his age
and country
In the present day, according to some critics,
success is only obtained by the practice OF
wheeling movements, by the electric telegraph,
| and by railroads; according to others it is the
needle-gun which has done all. "No more
standing armies" is repeated by numerous
! chorus 1--WE only want a landwehr."
Now, as it was hundred years ago, our judg-
take only one side of a question: we see it i'm
perfectly. 1t is simply requisite to start from
too narrow point of view to arrive at false
conclusion, and in the present case the error
might carry us very far 1t is unreasonable to
attribute the recent victories of the Prussans to
any particular branch of their military organi-
Zaton and IT would be doing an in
justice to the conqueror to seek in
the excellence even of a system the sole eXpla-
nation of the events of last summer. The issue
of the campaign of 1866 is attributable to very
many different causes, of which some are
obvious, others are not sufficiently known, and
which need not now be dlated upon. What it
concerns us to observe and what we believe to
be true, is, that if Prussia was able to bring
almost instantaneousy, a considerable army
into the field, well drilled, well commanded,
completely provided, and, in default Of
/ experience. animated with the liveliest senti-
ment of honor; if she could operate simulta-
neously on the Elbe, on the Main, and in Thu
ringia, and while dispensing the levies of the
Germanic Confederation, could invade Bohemia
with troops superior in number and organization
to the valiant and trained legons which Austria
| cd 10 har chn nvuns &c 80
military institutions which had been maintained,
reorganized, and developed during peace.
1t only remains for us to indicate summarily
the notifications carried out since 1S4S in our
military institutions. The republican period,
being able only to sketch out projects, need not
delay us. We have, however, arrived at more
positive results since 1862.
The initiative taken by the head of the State
has led to the introduction of great improve
ments in artillery ndterjel, of which the end is
not yet come. When we shall have attained to
the combination OF light guns of a long range
and great precision with the use of pieces cal
culated to produce crushing effects, the import
ance of artillery, always increasing, will become
still more considerable, and the proportion OF
this arm of the service will doubtless be aug
mented. The infantry, that queen of battles,
has been increased in the number of its batta-
lions, of ChdsSeotrS pSed regiments of Zouaves
and Algerian tirailleurs. The delicate trans
formation in its armament seems to point to
necessary changes in its ordonnance, aud will
necessitate new methods of transport 10 keep
up the supply OF ammunition.
The attention due to the subject of reserve
forces will also bear strongly upon infantry
organization Individual instruction and cav
airy remcunts have been the objects of special
care. Many writers OF the present day depre-
clate the value of cavalry and look upon IL as
! doomed by ritled cannon aud the needle-gun
The utmost they will accord 1t is but to play q
secondary part. While allowing here that many
changes are possible, we do notshare this opinion.
The war in America, which advocates of impgo-
vised armies quote too often in support OF
their thesis (for the United States was not en-
ti-ely without military institutions, and the
struggle, colossal though it were, was a civil
war sustained on both sides by troops which, at
the outset, had the same faults of organization)
the war in America shows some interesting
examples OF the new employment of large bodies
of cavalry. The movements of Stuart, and
above all OF Sheridan, deserve to be studied. ln
this respect also the campaign in Germany has
not been without its lesson. On the even
ing of Sadowa, the attitude OF the
Austrian cavalry diminished the extent
OF the disaster; and in the
encounter of regiments or brlgades where cou-
rage was equal, the weight Of men aud horses
decided the success. We were, therefore, graft
fed on reading recent decree, which, while
augmenting cavalry regiments of reserve, reas-
sured us as 70 the fate of illustrions cuiras-
siers, more ill-used lately by the press than
even on the battle fields of Eylau or Borodino.
In spite of the novelty of "considerants," which
led to the creation of troop on account of the
existence OF its officers, those who still believe
in the F,rid Francese have applauded the
| result.
Three reforms OF peculiarly organic charac-
ter have been accomplished under the present
Government. Clause of the law of 1881. rela-
tive TO detached corps of the National Guard,
has been abolished in a formal manner by the
decree Of the lth Of January. 1852; and the dis
'positiers Of ih.s last acts which We're not in