New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-07

ne fItItU lIOOlr hit ihHi''J ''''A '''''''''T
Tunis 1t is not a campaign in which glory Is
10 be won, for the invading columns are adj
vancing with superior numbers against horde
of alarmed and ill-disciplined marauders. 1t
is, however, the first active service which any
portion of the army has seen since the war
with Germany, and the military operations are
watched with eager interest, not only by the
French people, but also by strategists and
diplomatists in foreign capitals. For ten
wears France has been a vast barrack
in the centre of the European circle
of camps. The military budgets have
steadily increased, and Republicans who used
to condemn the army expenditures under Ma
polcon Ill. as exTavagant and unnecessary
have never hesitatcd 10 grant supplies for
much larger establishment than that crowned
intriguer rdarcd to ask. Every branch OF the
service has been rcorginized the most radl-
cal alterations have been made in the military
code. the conditions of enlistment and the sys-
tenn Of promotions and staff appointments ;
and the whole character of the army has
been changed So as to bc in accord with the
spirit and genius of republican institutions.
This is the first opportunity the nation has
had of testing ten years work i'll military re-
organization.
1t isa very imperfect test it is true; for
there will be no fighting in the open, no ex-
tended siege operations and little except light
skirmishing with an enemy trained IN
guerilla warfare. Yet II is a campaign IN
which the efficiency of the comms,ariat and
transport services can be asccTtancd, and the
ability Of the brigade commanders and the
general staff many of whom owe their promo
ton TO political partisanship, can be partially
demonstrated. So Tar rs the operations have
proceeded, no glaring defects IN the military
system have been apparent. There were ser-
ous DELAYS in the concentration of troops, but
when the columns we're once in motion they
advanced with Characteristic dash and IA
pidity II is probably the aim Of the stan to
prove that the French army as rcorganized
does not lack the best element of the Prusslan
military system-mOblty.
There are political reasons for rapid move
ment. The term of the present Chamber Of
Deputies is drawing 10 q close. Next week the
legislative sessions will be- resumed, and within
two months the controversy over the electoral
bill will be settled and preparations bo made
for general election in the autumn. short,
decisive campaign against the kroumirs, which
increases the prestige Of the army and strength
ems the Algerian possessions without exciting
the resentment Of any foreign Power, may put
the Cabinet on stronger ground before the
party and the country. II the military opera
tions are suffered to drag and if the rcla-
tons of France with Italy are compromised
by untimcly annexation schemes, a Cab
met representing the Pure Left may give
place 10 another recruited from the Advanced
Left. NJ. Ferry is liable 10 Doe overturned if
he goes too far or if hc does not 20 far
enough, for the Gambctti,ts are adroit enough
10 perceive that the chances of The ScrItn de-
listc would be improved by Ministerial
crisis. The present Premier and the Foreign
Minister arr personally opposed to any change
in the electoral system. but thc influence of
VI. Gambctla iu the Cabinet is $50 oycuuastcr-
ing that tho whole question las been IA
maudcd Ia the Dcpuuc, themselves thc
Ministers not taking part in the debate.
Our pari. correspondent quote. NJ Gamhctta
as predicting the passage of the ScrWm de-
li-tc with -iAty-fhicc votes 10 spare. lhr ma
lorty would ro higher if Premier of more
pronounced view. should succeed VI. Fcu,
and make 10 q Cabinet question. Tie IuIi-.an
campaign may open DE way for ucN couAua-
tons in French politics and even it thc pf,.-
cnt Cabinet retains tie confidence Of the
Chamber, the Republicans cah appeal 20 the
country with better grace % their first mile
tary operations arc crowned with speedy suc-
cess.