Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-16

Z,
ascends rivers to lay its eggs and If it survives
the OperatiOn-which is a very large if-returns
to the ocean. 1t is seldom that food Is found in
the stomach of sllad caught In fresh water;
yet it appears certain that it does capture small
crustacea, since Mr.. RYDER found their re-
mains in the stomach of female captured
above Washington. and always noted traces OF
the hard parts Of these little animals In the in
testlne, together with cells of alu3 shells of
diatOms, etc. An old piscator states that,
when lying upon the rapids, shad may be taken
with hook and line The youn-, shad, which
have teeth. will bite, according to the same
authority at tiny fly. The adult shad probably
takes its food in the same manner as the mem
haden and most of the herring tribe are known
to dO-tnat is, by swimming with the mouth
open.
The Formidable Military Power Of the
French Republic.
Prom the New York Sun.
When the Duke de Broglie inquired the other
day in the French Senate what course the Gov
eminent Intended to pursue with reference to
the triple alliance, the Minister for Foreign At
fairs replied, in substance, that the new league
would be regarded with Indifference. France
cherished, he said. no projects OF aggression,
but neither had it any reason to fear the conse-
quences of unprOvOked attack. The firmness
Of the tone adopted on this occasion would be
less significant had it not been fully borne out
by the resOlute policy of late adopted i'm colonial
affairs. policy widely divergent from the tmid
and vaclllating measures favored only a year
ago BY the De Freycinet Cabinet and the Cham
Der of Deputies.
This change in Ministerial temper and in pub
lie opinion is partly due. no doubt, to indigna-
ton at the reckless sacrifice of the national dig
nifty. but apparently it should also be in part
ascIlbed to recognition of the tremendous re-
suits of the military system which has now been
for nearly twelve years in operation. Had this
system proved a failure we NAV be sure that
fro, LODI calf
weld together the three powers of central Eu-
rope and If the German Chancellor has taken
this precautlOn 1t is because he appreciates the
formidable character OF the military engine
which in the possible cOntin rencies of French
politics would be at the disposal Of a belicOse
Jacobn or Socialist ideas
1t is true that. Theoretically tho maximum of
the military power attainable under the present
system will not be reached before 1891 but the
number of thoroughly trained soldiers is already
enormous, while the supply of equipments and
material of war. instead of being inadequate
for the troops actually under arns-as was the
case under the second empirc-Woud suffice for
twice "a many men as have served under the
coors during the last twelve years Such. at
least is the ayerment of NJ. II. BarthelemV who
was recently q professor at the military academy
oil Salnt-Cyr, and who has undertaken to define
precisely the resources upon which France mi ht
count to-day should she find herself involved in
III NJ.
Barthelemy, although he cautiously leaves the
reader to draw differences for himself that
France is at this moment match for Germany
and italy united. AS for Austria. he would
doubtless hope to see her contribution to the
forces of the league neutralized by demonstra-
tons on her eastern frontier
Let US look at some of the facts brought out
by this patriotic, but well-informed and compe-
tent student of military science. According to
NJ Barthelemy the whole number of French
troops of the first line Gncluding the I" active
army" and "actiye reserve') is 1923, 600 of
whom .2S9 600 are trained soldiers. The 634-
600 unframed men are enrolled and subject to
the immediate call of the military authorities.
and would be forthwith sent into barracks upon
the outbreak of hostilites. But the so-cailcd
''flrst line by no means represents the agrees
i've power of France. The second lne or terri
tOrial army. has an organization almost identi-
cal with that of the active army, and which
Is equally permanent. The soldiers, too. are
regularly called out for training, and 1t is
ayerred that their mobilization would be as
rapid and orderly that of the reserves attached
to the active army. Nor should the French ter
ritOrial army be regarded as an instrument like
the German Landsturm, only available for the
defense of the national soil in the event Of an
Invasion. BY a law of July, 1882, the French
government is authorized to employ the terrific
rial force in conjunction with the first line tor all
military operations. whether defensive or aggres-
sive. Now, this territorial army which. like the
first line. includes an active and a reserve sec
ton. contains $3.50 600 men, of whom not less
than 1.15l 900 are trained soldiers. 1t would
follow from these data that the French republic
possesses in the year 1SS3-exclusive of its sea
forces and of $4,000 raw recruits already en-
rolled In cOmpanies-abOut 2.5O00UO able
bodied. fully disciplined and well-armed de-
tenders.
Among the weak points of the regenerated
French army NJ. Barthelemy specifies the
cavalry, which, owing mainly to the inferior
quality Of the horses, Is not qualified to cope
with the same arm in the military establish
ments OF some other countries. The number of
Oncers. moreover is quite Inadequate to the
enormous force OF trained soldiers which can be
placed in the field to say nothing of the I'M
trained men who would specially require in
struction and control. Exclusive Of those hold
ing staff appointments and military function
aries. there are only $4,000 officers available fol
the first line. and scarcely more than half
as many for the territorial army. This Is a
serious defect in the system of France as COM
pared with that Of her German neighbOr. We
observe, too. that though he speaks confidently
respecting the speed and facility with which the
mobilization Of such gigantic forces would be
effected. NJ Bartheemy does not enter into de-
tails on the subject, or dispel the grave mis-
givings which were aroused by the delays ex-
perienced In despatching a single army corps to
Tunis.
After making, however, all reasonable allow
ances for acknowledged and unreported short
comings, We must recognize In the army de-
scribed by Prof. Barthelemy by far the most re-
doubtable military establishm emit which has ever
been created upon the soil Of France With
such weapon In her hand. the French republic
is unlikely to remain permanently isolated, for
friends Will have much to gain and enemies
much to fear from her.
What Mrs. Grundy Says
From the New York NJ III and Express
That Young Mr. Tilden's Durchasad title did
not do him so much good after all.
That the country home of the American mil
liOnaire is now called an estate"
That imported wraps represent enough money
to establish frst-class bank In the country.
That the military style Of trimming ladies'
| spring basques Is nothing If not striking and
stunning.
That at luncheon parties tiny silver tongs are
provided for glOve-handed ladies to eat cakes
with.
That every other body's babies are sick, and
parents are groaning with prospective doctors