The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-10
FRANCE.
NapoIeon's Army, and How IL is Formed.

Previous to the great Revolution of 1889,
which shook the foundations of nearly all time
honored and long-established institutions the
standing armies of France were formed by
levies, but the extensive and murderous wars
which followed this eventful catastrophe having
soon absorbed all that could be made available
to fill the ranks of the regiments, levying was
abandoned and conscription resorsed to. This
system has since prevailed up to the present
day.
The present French army is most decidedly
creation of Napoleon Ill He understood best
how to avail himself of the opinions of the most
eminent military men of his own nation, and,
far from despising or undertaking the ideas
which had originated reforms in other coun-
tries, his quick perception could not fail to con-
vince him that, while the French army had
formerly been looked upon as superior to all in
armament, effective strength, and adaptabiity
for great and lasting contests, formidable rival
had sprung into existence during the last five
years bidding fair TO distance all others in modern
military improvements and army organization.
Up to the year 1865 the active army was
the only available force in France and while it
furnished all the troops necessary for field ope-
ratlons in time of war, it likewise defended the
frontier garrisoned the fortresses, and disci-
plihed recruits. In this manner, the numerical
strength of the standing army, while not at all
too great in itself, became curtailed to very
alarming degree, as was only too clearly shown
during the Italian campaign of 1852 The
aggregate of the troops sent across the Alps to
battle against Austria did not comprise more
Lnan one-t0urth or the standing army, yet so
great was the requisition for various purposes
that the formation of an imposing division to
check the suspected movements of Prussia and
of the German Confederation was only effected
through the greatest exertions and under enor-
nous difficulties.
In order to provide against the recurrence of
such contingency the formation OF the Ma
tional Garde Mobile, on the plan OF the Prus-
sian Landwehr, was decided upon. They have
to perform the entire military duty required in
the interior of the country during the war, so as
to leave the whole of the active army available
for the battlefield. The French military force
is in three distinct parts-the active army, the
reserve, and the National Garde Mobile.
Every able-bodied adult is liable to service in
the active army unless he can procure substi-
tute. The number of recruits for the army
varies according TO momentary requirements
During 1868 and 1869 100000 men were drawn
each year, while for 1870 the Minister of War
only demanded $4,000 men. The number of
young men coming of age amounts to about
$4,000 annually, of whom 10000 may be coA-
sidered fit for service. They draw lots to decide
who has to enter the active army while the re-
mainder aye assigned to service in the National
Guards. from the 100 600 recruits usually desig-
mated for active service we must deduct; 9OOO
] men for the navy, 1900 men who either have