Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-22
French Recruits.

Before the 18th of January in each
year the Mayors of the different COM
munes draw up recruiting list of all
the Young men who have attained twen-
~ years of age in the course of the pre-
vious year. The average annual num-
Der of these recruits is 100000, which
gives n proportion of eight recruits TO
every 200 inhabitants for France has
n population of 100000 A similar
list is prepared in Algeria of all youths
of French parcntagc and of all who
have become naturalized French citi-
zcnS; and it is now proposed to put the
same principle in force in other French
colonies, but these further resources
will not here be considered The re.
cruiting lists of the communcs are OK.
amncd In the chief town of each canton,
and the names are erased of those i'm.
dividuals who prove themselves TO be
foreigners, and of those who have been
condemned in judicial penalties which
render them unworthy of the honor of
bearing arms. II Is now suggested to
amend the law In relation to those two
classes. As regards foreigners, il il
urged that such of them rs have found
homes in France enjoy the protection of
French laws, and ought to discharge the
same obligations as other French citi.
zens. As regards those excluded from
the army on consequence of Il judicial
sentence, it is proposed that they should
be drafted into special disciplinary
corps, and be stationed abroad. After
these erasures have been made, general.
" to the number of 1000, those whose
names stand on the lists draw lots to de.
termine the conditions under which they
shall enter the army. The force of the
permanent army being 100000 men, OF
whom 1870, 900 are made up of officers,
or of volunteers, or of such as have re.
enlisted, there only remain $4,000
places to be filled up by the recruits.
Under these conditions il is not only i'm.
possible that the recruits should remain
five years, rs required by the law, with
the colors, but oven when the term of
service is reduced TO four years it is i'm.
possible to find room for all recruits for
this shorter period. Some conscripts,
therefore, are kept with tho colors only
one year, and to determine who shall be
so favored lots are drawn. The lottery
then separates the recruits into two
classes; sixty-six in every 100 Cor two.
thirds) of the young soldiers are re-
quired to serve the long term of -four
wears; the remaining one-third Tor thir.
ty-threc per cent? have but one year OF
service. The first class is further iii.
vided. inasmuch rs some men are de.
tached from il in order to compose the
infantry and artillery of the marines.
These number about four in every l0C
recruits. So, supposing u commune
ought To furnish 100 men, those who
draw the numbers /, 2, 3, 4 are drafted
into the marines, in which service they
remain nearly four years: the numbers
from to Go serve this long term in the
land army; the last s. aic incorporated
in the land army for one year. After
the lots are drawn a rcvisional council
sits, i'm order to examine whether the
conscripts are fit for military service,
and to decide upon the exemptions
which shall be allowed. There is nc
complete exemption. either in peace OF
in war, save for such rs are pronounced
to be absolutely unfit for any service.
Some 10000 annually obtain this entire
immunity. -F'ortniqhtly Reriec.
"A few miles from Corrizo, on the
Little Colorado River, u pctrilicd forest
has been discovered. The pctriiicd
stumps, limbs and whole trees lie about
on all sides. The action Of the waters