The herald., 1895-06-23
WOMEN MAY
BE DRAFTED TO DO MILITARY DUTY
In FRANCE

1t begins to look as if, under the new
dispensation. women would have to bear
their share Of the duties of the state. The
government of France is beginning to
thiLk this way, at any rate, and a sug-
scston bas been made in the chamber of
deputies. by one of the members who
processes to be a champion of the rights
OF the fair sex, that the conscript laws
should be made to apply in measure to
the female residents OF France as we'll as
to the males. So far it is not proposed to
put women actually in the field, though
modern amazons may be seen later on.
but to draft them in the same manner as
are the men, that they may do hospital
duty.
From the point of view OF the army,
this would be of immense benefit to
France. as it would really make available
for actual military service a very large
number of men who are now employed in
just that sort of work, and are, therefore,
not available for fighting purposes. The
project as outlined by its originator
among the deputies. is that every woman
throughout France shall be registered at
the local Marie, like any male recruit,
and be compelled to draw lots.
Drafting shall then go on among the
women precisely as it is carried on now
among males. Those each year that draw
the unlucky numbers shall be put
through the courses of instruction, after
the strength of each is carefully deter
mined by examination. The ones that
have the most powerful physiques shall
be put into the hospital service. while
thuse that are not so strong will be util-
lied in the military postosfices and tele-
graph stations OF the, republic.
AS the law will be no respecter of
classes or position in society. .the plan
being to include absolutely every woman
within the boundaries of France. it fol-
lows that society women, heiresses and
descendants OF old families are quite as
liable to be drafted and pressed into
service as the women of lesser social
ranking. The scheme therefore, is being
opposed throughout the country with
great determination, and it is very posi-
BILE that it will not be carried out because
of this.
q Still another objection that has gbeen
raIseG-this is on the part of scientists
and these gentlemen have made their
opinions to have very great weight in
Francis that wholesale adoption of the
idea of feminine conscription will have
the effect OF preventing many women
from entering into state of Matrmony.
This, naturally, would tend to materially
decrease the birth rate.
Now the birth rate in France has been
for some years slowly and steadily sink
ing, ana the populatlon OF tne country Is
IN the same measure decreasing. Ger
many, moreover. to the disgust of all
France. has the highest birth rate Of any
country in continental Europe.
Every effort has been made of late to
raise the French birth rate. and DR..
Roux's anti-toxine, or cure for diphtheria.
which it was hoped would save the lives
of an enormous number of French in
| fants annually, and so make the NUN Der
OF births greater than that of deaths. was
hailed with Joy. 1t is hardly probable
that any measure that would tend to
lower the birth rate still further will re-
ceive the approval of the French people.