The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-20
FRANCES GIGANTIC ARMY.
Startling Figures Representing nen
and Money.

New York Sun.
The official report of the war budget for
1893 has just been placed in the hands of the
French Deputies. The figures are beyilder-
ing. Since 1871 the military expenses, with
out counting the navy, amount To eighteen
milllards Of francs, Subtractng from this
sum the pensions and strategic railway ex-
penses, there remain for strictly military
expenditures fifteen milliards three hundred
and sixty. eight millions of francs. OF this
sum two milliards eight hundred and ninety
one millions have been expended in the re-
construction of war material, and eleven
milliards seven hundred and seventy-four
millions for the support and preparation OF
the armies.
The largest item in the bill was the cost
OF the changes in the French infantry rifle.
The Chassep0t was discarded in 1874 for the
Gras rifle, and the whole army with the re-
serves were furnished with this weapon,
when ins1S66 the Lebel rifle appeared. In
five years this new rife was supplied to all
the infantry and cavalry. Its extraordinary
accuracy and power have already been de-
scribed.
In Notifications the work has been pressed
on with feyerish activity. Vast intrenched
camps have been established at Lille, Maui
beuge, Besaneon, Belfort, Verdun and
other points. The forts around these places
completely shelter them from lombard
ment. Moreover, the railroads and ali i'm
The discovery of new explosives has neees-
STATED some Troublesome alterations in
the Notifications. To protect the classmates
and magazines, the safety of which was not
sufficiently guaranteed by the earthworks.
1t was necessary TO make beds of bston of
immense thickness. ArmOred cupolas have
also been established in some of the fort
resses. Sheltering places and powder maya
zines have also been made in rocks. The
forts have also undergone alterations in re-
gard to the position Of the guns They
were at first found 10 be too much exposed,
and annexing batteries on level with tho
ground. intended for obique firing. haye
been set up TO support them. At the same
time, special works have been constructed
for tho infantry destined TO defend the
guns. The sanitary condition of the bar
racks has been the object of great care to
guard against the danger of epidemies.
In 1869 the regular army of France footed
up 24,o05 officers. 3S5.372 men and S9,702
horses. At present Ii counts Is, $50 officers,
4S4, 0l5 men and 140,S79 horses. In 1860 the
army was divided as follows: 372 hattalions
OF infantry. 20S squadrors of cavalry aud
2s2 batteries of artillery. The present army
has 727 battalions of infantry. AS squadsons
of cavalry and $50 batteries of artillery. 1t
should be remembered that the 6gures for
1869 given above represent the entire mill
tary force of France at that time. while the
figures of 1892 represent only the active army
on peace footing. The effective forces of
this army become doubled In few days at
the time of mobilization by calling out the
trained reserves, and between them and the
! regulars there is 30 difference in their vaIueas
soldiers. Moreover. these reserves are also
doubled by another reserve force. Aud vet
this is not ali. In fact it is only the first
line of the fighting men OF the French
army. The second line is composed of the
men of the territorial army. This army,
added 10 the first line, gives fighting force
OF more than two millions of men, And to
this colossal fighting force must be added
the $685. 600 men enrolled in the reserve of
the territorial army, also trained troops.
The strategic railroads and the lines OF
telegraph form a gigantic network, which
is kept in constant running ordsr.
In view Of these figures. which are well
known In Germany, il is no wonder that
Emperor William is crying for more soldiers.