Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-07-27

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krnses aad Her Mfssssry syssesn.
The resolute and even militant
attitude assumed by France to-
day leads the friends of that coun-
try to note with great interest
everything that bears upon her
aRhtlug equipment. The Franco.
Prussian war was probably the
most surprising event sincs the
French people. frst under the Re-
public and afterwards under the
empire Of the First Napoleon, fret
reelsted ard then overran the
whole Of Europe. Even the came
paigns of Napoleon the Great,
msgieally rapid as they were, were
eQualed by the Germans ander
Moitke. OF course, ten years ago,
4hI Germans had railway and
other facilities for rapid conceptra-
tion Of troops which were un.
known to the Republic and the
Empire Of the close of the last and
beginning Of the present century.
II Napoleon had commanded such
unparalleled means for rapid com
munication his marvellous inva-
aion of Germany, eliminating at
Austeriitz, would have been even
briefer than 1t was in duration.
When Napoleon Ill, with what
proved to be the mere shell of an
army, started out on the mad ex-
pedltion to Berlin, he was evident
~ both ignorant of the imbecile
Reorganization of his own army
and of the superb organization of
his enemy. The question now
Arises whether France has profted
BY the lessons Of that war, and per-
fsctsd the details of an efficient
military eystem. Judging from
what we read, we should be In
clined 10 say that she has not. The
Tunisian expedition, while 1t was
handled we'll strategically in Az
RIGA, exhibited an unexpected
tactical weakness In the organiza-
ton of the French army. The
plan adopted by the French War
Department was to draft contiu-
gents from the several army corps
to form the African expe d tionary
force. The pI ocess proved to be
slow and unsatisfactory. 1t was a
fortunate thing for the French Re-
public that In Tunis it was dealing
with . comparatively Insignificant {
foe. Had the war been with Ger
many, and the same painful aud
hating methods had prevailed,
there would have been great dam
ser Of another national catastrophe
OF the proportions OF 1870. Ger
many, which for 50 many years
had been disorganised, and whose
military system, ~ illustrated by
such generals ~ Wurmser, was
the laug hing stock of the
French, eighty years ego, hae,
BY soms peculiar destiny, become
at once the most alert and ener-
gotio OF nations. She has cor
daily adopted that motto Of the
drst Napoleon which held that
Providence was always on the eide
Of the heaviest aiions, and she
II careful to have the heaviest bats
saltons on hand, perfectly equipped
and ready for instant service, when
the critical copjuncture arrives.
No man can doubt the flne spring
and enthusiasm-the Sian Of the
French people. The contrast be.
tween their spontaneous and ebul-
iisnt vaIor and the phlegmatic
sourage Of their opponents is strong
and emphatic. But somehow in-
sxorable method, In modern war;
fare, wins the day almost without
exception. In view Of the fact
that the French expedition to Tunis
has excited bad blood not only be.
tween France and Italy but France
and Spain as we'll, the present ag-
grsssive foreign policy of France
may soon lead to very startling re-
aults. The military system Of Italy
has bsen rehabilitated to q notable g
degree. The italian army is large,
10 said to be thoroughly disciplined
and to be conspicuous for the fne
pevsonhsl of Its rank and file. On
the other hand, 1t IL asserted that
the French army is largely com.
posed Of striplings. that the stature
ef the men has undergone
= marked decrease; and, to Gap all,
~ have ominous rumors of the
old criminal laxity In all details oi
the staff and organisation. Those
who desire to see the Latin races
maintain their old supremacy can.
not but regret both the bad blood
which exists between its leading
nations and the unaccountsbls re
missness which seems 10 have lef'
France without perfect military
.snesHSS- All - II IA 4 a N III n n an avn.