The National tribune., 1881-10-08
THE PRESENT FRENCH ARMY.

OF the French campaign against Tuns the
London Times says: The campaign revealed one
of the most serious plumbers ever committed by
a nation or rather those freely intrusted by it
with its destines 1t will be remembered that
during the war of 1870 the French soldier was
twitted with having won easy victories in Africa
and with being Immediately beaten when faced
by disciplined army. The reproach was both
founded and unfounded There was no army on
French soil able to resist the Germans but there
an army in Africa which held its ground
against the Arabs, and on the same soil would
have defeated the Germans. Now, when the re-
organization of the army was commenced after
the war the system of the vlctOrS was naturally
taken as the pattern it being forgotten that
France was also an African Power, and required
not only French, but an African army. There
certainly some regiments of Algerian Trail
leurs but they cannot be removed from the gar
risons they occupy. Now when the seven years
service existed only soldiers who had been three
years with the colOrS, who were accustomed to
fatigue and discipline, who remained four more
years in service. and after another year were at
great disadvantage in fighting the Arabs, stood
the heat, thirst, and marching, and understood
bush fighting Moreover the re-enisted men
made excellent experienced companies, who knew
the country and acted as mentors and guides to
the new arrivals.
Now all this has disappeared. France has re-
duced the military service to three years. The
soldier remains scarcely two years with the
c0Ors, the companies are deicient and if with
the present service campaign is possible on the
Continent, it is disastrous i'll Africa. The late
expedition to Tunis has proved it. In many
respects the army was much superior to that of
1870. The officers and men were painstakng
disciplined, and obedient enduring without
much complaint fatigue, privations, and even
sickness. 1t was an excellent young army as
regards garrison duty; but the truth is that
under fire it was exceedingly difficult to keep
them steady, and. without actually taking to
flight, they eagerly took refuge behind the smallest
elevation that could hide them. They were ex-
cellent recruits, but they were not soldiers
They had been told that the Kroumirs were
terrible. They had seen some of their comrades
who had fallen into the hands of the enemy
horribly mutilated and every rifle shot they
heard they felt was aimed at them How could
these young peasants Just dragged from their
plOwS, have learnt to brave the horrors of war
fare? At Sfax, again, the Admiral refused to
land the infantry. He did not trust them
against an enemy concealed behind ramparts,
lying at their ease and ready to be cut down to
the last man. 1t was the marines veteran sol |
dierS accustomed to fatigue, fire, and discipline
who took the battery at the point of the bayonet
with admirable courage, seized the gate. and
thus excited the emulation Of the infantry At !
length, when naval lieutenant, appearing
calmly amid the fire, tore down the green flag !
and put up the tricolor, the regiments of the |
line, yielding to a natural impulse, asked leave .
to join in the fight and acted bravely 1t is |
evident, therefore, that the peasant is still capa-
BILE of becoming a soldier, but on condition of
proper time, good cadres, and strict discipline. /
The African army is composed of soldiers too .
young to stand the heat without cadres, and .
who, in fact have not time to be converted from
into African soldiers. Semi-oficial |
notes will not alter this, and France will not
have a real African army till she has either !
sepoys or experienced troops.-Army and Nary
Journal