Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-14

The above, Il should be observed, is the
peace footing: In time OF war the available
forces OF France comprise 5000 officers.
OF whom <s.l1 would be imm ediately
thrown into active service, and the pr1vates
or all description would number 32ss, CO.
armed and equipped with the very best
weapons at present invented
As summing up OF the available re-
sources In the way OF armed men for the
defense OF French possessions, IL WAS re-
Gently conceded by an English author. who
incidentally touched upon this subject that
the French army was in no way inferior 10
any other that existed. and the French feey
Is second only TO that OF Great Britain, and
considerable element In the utility OF this
army lies In the rapidly with which Il csa
be centralized or with which Il can be dis
cributed where II In most required. In time
or peace there are six independent cavalry
divisions kept in such condition that within
twelve hours they can be thrown into tho
field In any part Of the country. while the
vast reserve can be gathered together, uni
formed, armed provisioned and put into ac-
tive duty Inside Of seventy-two hours
Well Fortified.
In addition to this. almost fabulous sums
have been expended in Notifications, and
France enjoys the most elaborate system OF
forts and other defensive works In ex-
istence. Paris in itself is probably an Inn
pregnable fortress. being surrounded by q
triple line Of independent fortihcations.
forming a circumference OF loi miles, all
furnished with the heaviest artillery, per-
fected missiles and explosive shells. and
kept constantly at the highest point OF per-
fection. Mont Valerien. which. viii be re-
memDered for the conspicuous part IL play
ed in the Franco-Prussian war. is now
merely one OF a number equally strong and
formidable. when then II was the only one.
while along the boundary, between France
and Germany, the French have accom-
plished a work that seemed almost impos-
sible In perfectly defending their front
made so exceedingly difficult by the topo-
graphical pecularities of the region, which
clearly favored Germany.
The review OF the French army Is an IN
spring sight The Infantry does not Inn
press by its stature as being either formula
BILE or lasting. and as IL marches past the
reviewing stand with a Looping gait there Is
nothing but the memory Of its history to
indicate the material there is IN IT. But
with the advent Of the cavalry the enthu-
siasm reaches its height and even the most
Indifferent spectator finds himself carried
along upon the popular outburSt as these
magnificent troops 90 past. There is a
theatrical trick truly in the display but n
Is a theatrical trick that is part Of the life
OF the soldier, and is carried with him on to
the battle field with such great effect
The cavalry dashes on the field at fun GAL
lop there IL no trot. no canter, IL is a wild
impetuous rush. a melee, swords brandished
in air. cloud of dust from which energies
a sparkle OF steel and a fash OF scarlet
II is a grand sight, the nearest 70 thar
grandest of all sights. a battle In fact, that
peace has to offer
And when the battles OF the empire. IN.
kingdom. of the republic are fought ans
won. the grateful nation finds a comfortshia
home for its defenders IN the walls Of les
Invalides. where each pensioner Is entitled
to his cot his covering. his daily 75o gram
mes OF white bread. his go grammes OF
meal. his two portions of vegets bles. his
ninety centilitree Of wine: and the only
rebuke administered by the government N
an occasional suppression OF that wine.