Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-07-18
FRANCE AND PRUSSIA.
TIE ARMIES AND THEIR COMMANDERS.
The Army of France,

THB AkQlES AND THklk COM4ANOERS.
The Army Of France.
The many reforms In the French army from
the time it was considered invincible under the
great chieftain Napoleon L. up to the present
dynasty cannot be the subject Of this inquiry,
reorganization in 1868, consequent upon Prus-
sia's successful stroke against Austria and the
establishment of the North German Confeder-
alton. The imperial government, desirous to
maintain the military rank heretofore occupied
in Europe, thought necessary TO frame a law
which would enable it to WELD an army of
500 900 men, ready in cases Of emergency to pro-
tect and march beyond the frontiers. The law
Of February 1, 1868, respecting recruits for the
army and organization of the Garde Mobile,
was intended TO carry out this object. Its prin-
cipal features are those Of the law of 1882, but
1t increases the time Of service to five years in
the ranks and four years in the reserve. The
lowed; measurement Of the height is reduced by
one centimetre, and the men of the reserve may
contract marriage during the las three years of
ns h tne group
drawn formerly z, 600 of the first class, while
the number at present is 63, 900; the old system
giving after period of seven years 16I 900 ex-
perienced soldiers and 252 900 Of only five months
drill, while with the present system there are
obtained All 600 experienced and only 81 900 raw
soldiers.
The real strength of the peace establishment
OF France Is at present about 400 900; to these
must be added, in case of Q war footing, 776 600.
Deducting from the above aggregate $1,000 for
gendarmes, arsenals, powder manufactures,
&c, CO, 900 men for Algiers, and 81, 600 men for
24O depOts in the interior, there would be left
for active operations at or beyond the frontier
The efficiency of the National Guard, or
Garde Mobile, need not here be discussed. or
the 322 900 young men who annually attain the
age OF twenty years, 10000 are taken for the
Garde Mobile. This gives 10000 men for five
years. But owing to the abolition of many ex-
emptions the number will be increased in five
hx,0 Nm al. a
The plan is to form $50 battalions of infantry at
1,6O0 men, and 125 batteries at 200 men-a force
Of no less than 425,i0.
In order to provide for the cavalry France
has, in cases of wal, to import horses from other
countries. Thus in 1861 she purchased $4,000
in Germany and Austria. Of these 1900 were
fsrmed out to agricuiturists, who might work
return them in good condition within fourteen
days.
The artillery branch, the pride Of the First
With reference to the much vaunted mitrail-
leuse, or revolving ordnance, much secrecy has
been observed; it is said to possess less pre-
cison than the Gattling gun, but to excel 1t in
In April, 1869, Marshal Mel reported the
strength of the army to the Senate as follows -
Effective force on March 1, 330 900, with the
requisite number Of horses. In the event of a
war footing 1t would require the purchase OF
2sc0O horses. No power in Europe could bring
its forces into the field with the same facility.
The whole number belonging to the ranks is
400 600. and with well drilled reserves, CO.. 900.
THE COMMANDER OF THE FRENCH ARMY.
armies Of France, was born at Sully in July,
1S0S. He derives his descent from an Irish fam
lily, who risked and lost all for the last of the
stuart kings he entered the military service
sent to the Algerian wars in 1890; took part in
the expedition to Antwerp in 1882; attained to
the post OF aide camp to several African gen,
erals, and taking part in the assault of Con-
staDt1ne, was nominated major of Foot Chas-
seurs in 1910, lieutenant colonel Of the Foreign
Legion in 1912, colonel of the Forty-first of the
line in 1S45, and general of brigade in 1913.
When, in 1S45, Gen. CanrObert left the Crimea
Gen. Mcmahon, then i'm France, was selected
by the Emperor to succeed him in the command
or division; and when the chiefs of the allied
armies resolved on assaulting Sebastapol Sept
sth, they assigned to Gen. McMahon the peril
Gus post of carrying the works of the Malakoff.
For his brilliant success on this occasion he was
made Grand Cross Of the Legien Of Honor; and
in 1853 was nominated a Knight Grand Cross OF
the Bath. Gen. Mcmahon, who took a con-
spicuous part in the Italian campaign of 1859,
received the baton Of Marshal, and was Gre
ated Duke Of Magenta in cOmmemoratiOn of
that victory. He represented France at the cor
onation Of William Ill Of Prussia, in Noyem-
Der, 1861, was nominated to the command of the
mated Goyernor-General Of Algeria by decree,
Sept. 1, 1864.
Army Of the North German COnfeder.
alton.
The Bund constitution OF Germany places the
army, whether on war or peace footing, under
the chief command of King william OF Prussia.
Every citizen Of the confederation Is liable to
duty, and substitutes are inadmissible. The
period OF entering the service lies between the
10Th and 2sth year Of age; he must serve years
in the ranks, years in the reserve, and years
In the landwher. Volunteers maintaining them
selves serve in the ranks one year only, and are
then admitted for six years longer to the re-
serve.
The military etatfor 1870 allows 225 thalers per
sentinS per cent Of the f population; hence se-
cording to the last census Of December, 1867,
29yI0 ,47e souls, 299 7O4 men, g 433 400 thalers
DIIng armn tne tune Of peace the strength re- ct OF the
AM The &c war sf strength nciQdins the Hesse d.
c;sa SisSn) Ss ecay Ttsted2ce5s S1s Of
l,2l2 guns. The reserve:-Officers, $3.50; Of
fcials, ,054; men, 1s2 $40; 22545 horses and 234
guns. The garrison troops:-Oficers, &c, 6,376;
men, 1873 ,6iS; 10, $50 horses and 234 guns. Reca-
pitulation- % 645; men, 9l5 676; horses,
19S, $50, and gum, 1850.
south German States Army.
1t Is well known that conventions exist be-
tween these States and Prussia for a similar or
ganization OF forces and joint action in case Of
war. The details as to service, &C., are thus
very similar to those which have been given
above. We will, therefore, confine ourselves to
giving the numerical strength.
BAvARIA.-Peace footing-Officers, q 139; Of
hcials, 742; men, "a .662; S,647 horses, and 1872
guns. War footing-Oficers and men, 90 O6i;
reserve, 25,l57; garrison troops, 22,6l4. To-
gether with II ,236 horses and 24O guns.
WURTEMBERG.-Peace footing-Oficers, 610;
officials, 81; men, 13 ,46S; 1852 horses War foot
ing-OMcers and men, q, ,076; reserve, $40; gar
rison troops, 6,064; $3.50 horses, and 66 guns.
BADEN.-Peace fOoting-Officers, 552; off,
cials, 81; men, II, ,1s9; 3,O63 horses, and SO guns
War fOoting-Oficers and men, 10, CSC; reserve
1896; garrison troops, 964O; 61s1 horses, and CA
guns.
THE pRUssIAN COMMANDERS.
or the Prussian army the King is Comman-
der-in- Chief. But the planning of the campaign
will doubtless be the work of the distinguished
and venerable Chef-of Staff, Gen. Won Motke,
who has been accorded the highest honors as
the plapner Of the campaign Of 1866, in the
wonderful war of Prussia against Austria. The
two Prussan Princes, Frederick William and
Frederick Charles, who commanded in the field
In the Prusso-A will doubtless also be
In command in the present campaign, and Gen.
Manteuflel, who demonstrated his genius in the
arof 1866, will again be In immediate command
OF the army.
THE ARMS.
The troops OF the French army are now sup
piled with the Chasepot, whose value was tried
In small way; on the Romans three years ago.
The Prussian troops are furnished with the
Lundnadelge wehr, or needle gun, whose terri
biy destructive power was demonstrated upon
the Austrians In the hattie of Sadova f,ur wears