New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-04

for five years; they then pass into the re
serve for four years more; they then con
stitute the territorial army, or what w
used to call the Home Guard, for five
years, and terminate their military career
IN the Home Guard reserves for six years.
Here, then, is an actual and possible
service of twenty years. We find the
terms of service very strict. No substitutes
are received and few absolute exemptions
granted. The penalties on evading the
service are very severe, and altogether
President MacMahon has come as near
converting France into camp as could
well be done. We may mention in pass
ing that an obligation is asserted upon
every Frenchman residing in foreign
parts to register himself as from his last
place of residence in France with the
nearest French consul in the country of
his residence. The emiyre is then obliged
to take notice of any public summons to
his class of soldiers and report for active
service Immediately. 1t is this extremely
stringent regulation which, perhaps, has
caused the minute instructions of the
consul general Of France at New York,
published in circular addressed to
Frenchmen resident abroad.
1t is to be apprehended that this right
OF reclamation will produce some embar-
rassment among those French citizens
who reside as aliens in foreign countries.
They have entered into business, in
some cases married, and enjoy all the
advantages of residence in one country
with an allegiance reserved to another.
In case of war in the country of their
residence, they have heretofore only found
it necessary to show their alienage; and
in case of war in France they could not
be expected to cross the seas at their own
expense and pitch in. They, therefore,
discussed the strategy of the battles very
much as Uncle Toby used to accompany
the siege of Naumur, by fortif-
cations of turf. They also demon
strated that all battles were lost
by treason, and that France was invinci-
BILE. This perfectly impartial position
gave to these Frenchmen residing in
foreign countries, admirable opportuni-
ties to descant on the miserable policy of
those barbarians who had never been to
Paris. With the utmost calmness they
could point out the oppression and cor
'uption of other governments, and con-
rast them very happily with the perfec-
ion of Partisan politics.
1t is not impossible, however, that the
7ery stringent regulation which recalls
very son of St. Louis to the standard of
france, may produce the embarrassment
# which We have spoken. Rather than
hut up shop, and go "far away from you,
Jeanette" and the children, Jeannot NAV
determine to declare his intention to be-
ome a citizen of some fourth class nation,
UGH as he esteems our own republic to
re. We shall be glad to welcome jean
lot and assure him that he will not be at
IL classified in the United States, except
n case Of foreign war. Even in that
ase, there will always be more American
olunteers from the North and South and |
Vest than there will be room or use for, |
cannot can, therefore, if he thinks best
Or Jeanette and the babies, keep open
he shop as an American citizen with the
reat privilege of swearing at anything
list as if he were an alien. 1t is not i'm
ossible that this may raise some ques-
ons under the doctrine "once subject,
ways subject" but We shall leave to
ur government to make the same reply
, in the Koszta case if it should become
ecessary.
We shall welcome Jeannot none the less
ecause he may revive this question. and
erhaps also add somewhat to the Demo-
attic poll in our State. Still we invite
i'm as citizen. He is an Industrious
ugal and ingenious fellow, and when
oAtAiA NC COAlcuI Will AulcIlCa, Will |
axe good citizen. His children will
ave forgotten all about barbados and
lie can-can, and will be as good as any of
le rest of us or our children.
We have right to draw our inference
ON this very strict organization of
e army and navy. It is that France
aving been conquered through her
yn dissensions in one part, and that
the superior military system of
in another, has wisely de-
ded to copy the superior system of her
lemy. This is very we'll, but there
ould seem no further need of this
my than heretofore. What then does
is active organization of her citizens and
to those living abroad signify?
nat France, whenever the occasion
all serve, will try the game of war over
ain, and recover by force Of arms the
ecious provinces which have been
dely torn from her bosom. The rec
ication Of the northern boundary and
e restoration Of the Rhine may well
aiken the ambitious and patriotic
cams of President MacMahon. 1t is
t impossible but the death Of Emperor
illiam or even of Bismarck may revive
g republican aspirations of the people
Germany. In such case France might
I r
IN under the guns of Berlin. 1t is ,
lie France has her own antagonism
right, left and centre, of Com
lnists, Bourbons and Bonapartists. .