Evening star., 1898-11-18
THE FRENCH ARMY PREPARED.
ooserNations of Gen. Rates. America
Military Attache at London.

From the St James Gnxette
Much has been heard lately OF the condI-
tioh OF the French army. The following
interview, which a representative OF tha
81. James Gazette has had with General
Bates. the military attache of the Amer!-
can embassy I'm London. will be of interest
General Bates has only just returned
from the French army maneuyers. and is
leaving for Paris in order TO act as mill
tary attache to the Hispano- american
peace commission: Il was powerfully i'm
pressed said the general, with all | saw
during the maneuvers The General senti-
ment seemed TO be that they were simply
rehearsal of an action which was eN-
pected, and which the army was perfectly
ready to perform very soon. The French
ofncers were absolutely and entirely ab-
sorbed in their work and i'm their profession
TO the exclusion Of everything else This
was more evident than in the case of any
oIfcers with whom have been associated.
ne sentiment was simply my regiment
my army corps my army and there was
no room Tor anything else. In the case of
the men, they were perfectly trained. hardy
ana lntelhgent; but, as with all European
ueopS nave seen, one missed the appear
ance of intelligent appreciation so notice
able among the rank and file of the Ameri-
can army.
All the troops" continued General Bates,
VINO were under arms were perfectly pre-
pared for war. At any moment they were
ready to take their baggage and go into ac-
ton This was as much the case at the
Deginnng as at the end of the maneuvers.
was very much struck with the perfect
condition of the troops. and with the COM
missariat supplies and the efficiency and
good organization of the staff Every de-
tan that goes to the maintenance of a
great army in the field was perfectly mas
tered-not even Hnchpin was forgotten. L
have never seen the details of everything
in such perfect condition, nor did / ever
dream that such perfect spirit of disc-
pline could prevail Everything was of a
very high standard. indeed. II was a great
lesson, in view Of the very common fault
OF want of preparation at a time of emeg-
gency. Not only was no detail overlooked,
but everything was in its place, and the
men used things If they knew exactly
what they were for. The movements of the
infantry on march were elastic and regular,
with enough freedom to disarm those critics
who complain of too much stiffness. The
infantry movements were as good as those
of the best American regulars. The cav
airy horses were splendid, but some of the
artillery horses were small, and did not
seem well adapted for their work.
The Russian military attache, who was
doyen of the attaches, was everywhere re-
ceiVed by the enormous crowds with cries
of 'Niye la Russiar Like all other inter-
national questions, no mention was made
of The cars recent rescript, but OCCASION
ally cries were raised of 'Vive lie desarme-
mentr
In conclusion, General Bates said: After
years of expense, hard work and profess
sional ability, European armies have solved
the question of organization and manage
ment of armies, and IT would seem unwise
for the United States in any contemplated
reorganization of its forces not to take adj
vantage of the experience which Is free to
its command. In reorganiZing our army, II
is not so necessary for us to invent as to
copy and adapt that which is best in the
armies of Europe"