New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-24
EUROPEAN RURAL POLICE.
HOW LIFE AND PROPERTY ARE PHo'
rrcrEp IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS OF
FRANCE, GERMANY AND RUSSIA
GENpARMEs AND GARDEs CHAMPETREs IN
rRANcE-rHE DIFFERENT FEELING OF THE
PEOPLE TOWARD RURAL POLICE IN
FRANCE AND GERMANY-COOPER-
ALIVE COMMUNITIES IN RUSSIA

ALIVE COMMUNITIES IN RUSSIA.
Paris, october 70
No object lesson appeals with greater force to
Americans than that presented by the systems OF
policing country districts in Europe as contrasted
with the method prevailing In the United states
AT first sight the subject may appear too techni-
caIIy administrative for general interest but In the
Old World. as In the New 1t IL the everyday lie
I'm village and farm that reveals the genius OF
people.
First and foremost comes the rural police admih-
isration OF France with ts picturesque gendarmes'
gardes champetres gardes GLASSES and gardes
peches whose functions are so clearly prescribed III
the Code Napoleon. which IL to-day the lrame-
work of law in France, Holland, Belgium, western
Germany Switzerland and Italy. France IL divided
into eighty-slx departments. The CHIEF magistrate
of the department is the Project.
THE GENDARMERIE
lie has control Of the gendarmerle. or national
police attached to his department. The gendarmes
are picked men, who have served In the active
army usually sergeants or corporals. Ihey are
well paid and their officers invested with Jul
dicial functions similar to those of inferior ponce
ma glstrates. The gendarmes are quartered In the
principal towns Of the department in detachments
varying from ten to nifty. and live in special
barracks with their wives and families They con-
stanty move about-never singly. but invariably
In palrs-making visits and inspections. They pa
troll all the roads and lanes OF their district usually
on horseback, sometimes on FOOT ana OCCASIONALLY
on bicycles. In addition to their regular police
duties they are required to inspect at least TWICE
a month every village and hamlet In their circum-
scription They find out the whereabouts OF crimi-
nails and offenders OF every kind; they watch over
the public roads and thoroughfares, bridges
tunnels rivers railway tracks and canals and see
that they are not obstructed; they prevent tres
passing on private public property they see that
no injury IL done fruit trees grape vines. grow
ing vegetables crops of every kind; they see
that the roads and pathways are Kept clean ana
report at once anything that might cause Ill health
or lead to an epidemic affecting man or beast:
they keep their eyes upon all beggars. tramps
and suspicious characters. and they are me
guardians Of public order and morality
In ell cases Of iagrante delicu the gendarmes ar
rest the offender forthwith, but they are not EN-
powered to make arrests upon their own suspicious.
When searching for criminals they are always pro-
yided with duly certified warrant Inc
ecndarmes are often TO be riding two by two
along the highway leading handcuned prisoner
fastened by a cord walking between them Inc
gendarmes exercise supervision over the gardes
champetres or rural constabes OF the villages and
see that they use due diligence and Intelligence III
the performance OF their duties
The French gendarmes are splendid fellows to
look at They wear the most picturesque uniform
OF the French Army. Their superb cooked hats,
smart blue TUNES. glitterng silver shoulder KNOTS
and aiguilettes neat trimmings Of silver lace. bun
spurs heavy sabres and revolvers. all go 10 make
I'm n highly decorative picture. But besides being
ornamental they arc eminently useful. Ihey are
invariably civil and obligng. and any abuse OF the
extraordinary power with which they are IN
trusted il an almost unheard-of occurrence. The
present organization OF the gendarmerie remains
With slight changes as established by Bonaparto
during the Consulate; and the gendarme to-day
shares with the village nreman-the 'pompier
the honor Of being OF the most popular insti-
tutions OF France.
FOREST AND RIVER POLICE.
Besides the gendarmere the Project OF the de-
nartmcnt has at his disposal deachments OF forest
and river police-the gardes chasses ana saroes
paches-who watch over the preservation Of game
and Ash and see that the game and fishing laws
are strictly observed. they prevent poaching, see
,ha, the close time for game and nsh-the dates
81 which are liked each year by the Prefect TOT
the whole departments not infringed upon; they
see that no one shoots or fishes without the re-
ouired license and seize all game exposed for sale
during the close time These forest and river po-
lice wear a green and silver cap. and nave leather
CROSS belt with brass plate bearing their title
md are armed with revolvers.
Each commune has from TO n dozen or more
rsrdes champctros. according 10 its size ana I'M
portance The gardes champetres must be over
twenty-nye years 81 age OF good character ana or
,ound physique. Their pay varies in the different
comrunes but Ia usually about 800 year. They
wear A dark-green forage cap. with silver lace. ana
leather cross belt with brass plate upon whch
are inscribed their name. their commune ana the
word "Ioi" They are armed with revolvers. They
may wear swords but a usually to be seen walk
ing about with stout sticks. They take an oath OF
once before the Justice OF the Peace. and swear
10 obey and execute the laws and 10 watch over
and guard the land and property OF the commune
Their authority 10 make arrests IL the same as
that intrlsted 10 the gendarmes. The sardes cham
have served In the army or in the railroad admin
i.,ratIon They are Intelligent ard trustworthy.
and are rs active and alert as watch dogs
EXTENSIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
The duties and responsibilities Of the French
gardes champetres are much more extensive than
those Of the village policemen In the United states.
They must he out Of doors by daylight in summer
and winter and patrol the commune. They must
prevent any trespassing where there are growing
crcps or trees bearing fruit vines bearing grapes
they must see that the owners OF sheep and cattle
keep their nooks and herds In the proper pastures;
they seize ana impound all stray animals; they I'M
nose fine on the owners or drivers OF all carts or
carriages left standing In the road without any one
IN look after them hold the horses-a very IRE
anon, occurrence near the village wine shops when
the drivers abandon their teams to get drink
and gossip. The sardes champetres must see that
all the bicycles In the Village are provided with
bells and are Inscribed with their owners names:
they are required 10 inspect me ovens ann cAim-
nfys OF all the houses OF the commune. and
that they arc In proper condition not TO
catch fire; they prevent any bonires being made
within three hundred feet Of any house. stable
matched roof. forest or vineyard; they must see
that all the children born In the commune duly
registered In the town hall and that all the young
men, as soon as they reach their twenty-hrst year.
are inscribed on tho lists for military service they
are responsible for all the horses. mules and
carrier pigeons being registered that their
Der and condition sent to the military author
tiles to be drawn upon In case OF mob-
zation of the army, they must see that the public
tanks used by the washwomcn supplied with
clean water; they see that all the village dogs are
licensed and that they collars with their
owners names and addresses; they see that all