, 1875-10-07

II. I;M11E DE GrnAnp1S is the HOMAGE
GREELEY of French journalism. 1Io is no.
toriously given to osaggeration, bnt not the
less influential in Franco because he asserts
himself in hyperoole in whatever ho writes
or does. When war was proclaimed between
Franco md Germany, N. DE G1nAEDS pre-
tlictcd TINT tile prussians would bo driven
across the Rhine at the butt-ond Of tho
French 1naskets very much as Mr. GREELEY
shouted "On to Richmond" curly in tho
American War, But both AIr. GnEELEr and
II. De G1nAnD1s represented large constitu-
encies in tho exaggerated views they wero
bold enough to present in print. So now,
when III. DE G1nARp1N comes out in serios
Of articles As q poaco-adrocate, and reco1n-
,nends tho practical disarmament Of France,
it is safe to conclude TINT ho does
not speak for himself alone, but that
ha represents d large sentiment among
!is countrymer. Whether or not it
will prevail against the martial traditions
OF tho French nation and their constitutional
luminosity toward tho Germans, Is n question
TINT tiuo alone can determine but thero Is
no question but it would be to the great NIL
FAHkllttt VI I1Atct AlA AOI tAo HtAatt1H " tklA
Europe, if lis counsel were followed.
1t mny bo set down as m undisputed fact
that Franco cannot cope with tho military
| prowcss Of Germany either at tho present
| timo or in tho near future. Franco hns a.
.ways bad largo standing army, but Cor
nnny in nation Of soldiers. Tho identity Of
! citizenship with soldiery has become the
fundamental principle Of the German people.
From tho time OF tho crushing defeat at Jcna,
aud tho aacriaces and humiliation they bore
at the nands Of NApoLEoN, thoy began to or
ganizo nation OF soldiers. Once a soldier
always soldier, was tho guiding rule.
Actual service only prepared tho way for re-
Horyo service with Il thorough Organization
and annual drills. Every man in Germany
from IL to GO ycars OF aye ia
in some branch Of either the Landwohr
or tho Laudstuun, and tho Oldest
aro subject mud prepared for cali to tho de-.
feuse Of tho nation. soldicry has thus be.
come national trait In Germany, and moi
merely trade. In Franco tho rulu has been
reversed. 4 certain portion Of tho popula,
ton became soldiers, rs othors wero divided
among tho lawyers, doctors, tailors. shoo
makers, etc. The term Of service has always
been long, md retirement mcAnt place IL
tho geatidnaeyad or Boruo civil branch of Gov
crnment service. hut ths military strength
Of tho uatlon bas always been represented b,
it's stnnding army, tha only difference bcin&
TINT III war the turlougled men wcro alway
called into service. 0utsido tho standing
army, however, there has been no organiza
tiou, no special preparation, aud no eisposi
ton for military service.
Tho lesson OF tho overwhelming victor,
OF tho Germans in 1870-7l waa thnt Franc
could only lopo to measure swords ogail
with United Germany by adopting th
German System Of military education
and mobilization. 1t was determined t
try this system In spirit Of revenge. bn
tho French have underestimated its c1actin
nature. 1t Is a system that cannot DO bull
up III d few years, nor upon foundation
sentiment aud tekat. It requires above
J indomitabla will, unzelenting perseverance,
J and ti1eless patience. These are not fTenc
charactcrist!cs; they arc German. III
, sentiment Of glory aud the passion fe
, revenge will hardly ontlast tho universe
, devotion OF q wlols nation for two or thre
, generations 10 attain tho strength pecossar
/ | fTk{a is r>rohnf,11, Il,