Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-14
THE ARMY OF FRANCE.
Compared With the German Forces
In Readiness for War.

Compared With the German Forcss-
In Readiness for War.
From the New York World.
Does the present French army, in view
OF the likely offensive attitude OF Germany
present face formidable enough TO over.
come the aggressor?
Let us see.
Germany has stationed along the French
frontier loS battalions OF Infantry. number
ing 627Ss men; eighty troops OF cavalry.
containing u.s7s men. and seventy-fiye bat
terles OF artillery. numbering s.21 men. be-
ing In all an effective power OF - 3ss men
well armed. drilled and Differed. Includinc
the auxiilarles this number is Increased 10
1900. ami or this active total s7,sS4 men are
seauoneo IN AIsaee and Lorraine. Certain
The French army is a comprehensive af-
iar. II embraces entire France: IL In the
me OF the nation; II Is the sturdy pedestal
supportng the loyal pride Of the citizens
Every Frenchman IL a patriot even tha
communist member Of the Chamber who
threatens to Introduce a bill TO DO away
VII Win me army enurely. relying upon the
temper OF tne French people 70 protect their
country when the occasion demands II In
the one institution In the country thar
rise above political influence and has not
nal dissensions. IL il impressive NOT aion.
through virtue OF great numbers and per
feet organization. but because OF the ma tur-
81 military qualities OF the French people,
nac'ty.
Division Of the Army.
The entire territory Of France u Divided.
for muitary convenience. into eighteen
regions. and 70 each Is assigned an army
corps Naturally. the greatest interest at
taehes TO the district lying along the bor-
DER line between French and German poe
sessions.
That immediate region. which in the event
OF war will be likely TO feel the frst shock
OF connict. Is protected by six corps under
the command OF Gen lamont with head
Quarters at Chalons-Sur-M Marine. While In
eacn otner region one army corps OF the
standing army. embracing about 5000 men
ana Ii neid gun. is always main tained. N
this particular division two army corps
Just double the above figures are kent IN.
Service in the army Is compulsory upon
every ciuzen OF France between the ages
OF twenty and forty-fve, entailing three
years active service. followed by an al
most permanent attachment 70 the reserves
or 70 the territorial forces. In case of war
every Frenchman who has served the neces-
sary ume IN the active army is expected
TO enlist IN some army corps the choice be-
Ing left TO himself, for the duration OF the
war But should the war be OF such mag
nitude that the reserves or the territorials
are at once called upon TO participate, this
choice is withheld, and the citizen must
serve with the corps into which he was
originally drafted. The usual exemptions
prevail here as elsewhere, relieving a man
from all military duty.
Comparative statements. showing the
relative strength Of two forces. are always
more comprehensive aad readily UNDER
stood than a more partial statement how
ever clearly IL may he put, and. as the
attention OF the world is just now directed
TO TINS relative standing of France and Ger
lowing table: