The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-20

I1n41 1tt&a nv
SPECIFICALLY synonymous in France: ev-
cry Erenchman OF n military & is.
n . rule. expected TO serve some por-
Zion OF his life with the colors. and
the exceptions are few. Thus the mo-
bilixation Of the French army for war
resembles che of those great move
ments of a wariike population. such as
were known to Europe In the days OF
Attfla and the Huns. Behind the force
of s15.l1s men gathered for the defense
OF the republic at home and abroad
during time of peace is a vast host. in
GLIDING nearly every citizen of the prop
er age and numbering. theoretically. IL
not actually. over three and one-half
millions OF men. about one-half OF
WHOM belong to the reserve of he ac-
tive army and the other half form
what are known al the territorial
forces and their reserves.
The purpose of mobilization is first
10 put the active army on a footing
for instant action in any required d.
rection. and next to place the reserves
and the territorial army in a position
20 actively cooperate with them to
any necessary extent, so that, IL need
be. an armed nation may put forth. its
utmost strength to repel invasion or
pursue a policy of aggression. The
enormous cost OF modern wars. and the
disturbance to the industries Of a
country resulting from putting an en-
tire population under arms. necessi-
tates quick action. and the EFFORT on
both sides I'm modern war is to bring
the contest to the issue OF battle at
the earliest possible moment. The diff
ference of a few hours In ~promptness
of mobilization may determine the
choice Of the field of war or the time
of movement. The effort of the French
authorities is. therefore. not only to
perfect the system of army concentra-
ton and transportation, but TO develop
the mobility of h individual soldier
and TO make him as independent as
possible OF the impediments of the
army by training him to. carry upon
mis- person what he needs to supply his
immediate wants. The French soldier
Is a walking arsenal and storehouse.
and the most exact and constant ply
steal training Is required to enable him
40 carry his DAD during the days
march without disabling fatigue.
This preparation is the work of peace;
active service is demanded. the soldier
IS expected within less than two hours
10 prepare himself to march forth TO
battle. The corps of the active army
are united to form grand armies. the
reserves OF all arms are called out,
armed. equipped and formed into their
proper divisions, etc, and the depots
become centers of recruiting and In
struction under the charge of the ofi-
GERS of the depot battalions, compan-
les, squadrons or batteries. respective
IN. The strong places are garrisoned
and the s~torehouses replenished.i
To systematize and Distribute this
work France Is divided into is military
regions. each under a general OF dtvis-
ION. and further sub-divided into dis
tricts. having the same territorial
boundaries. each commanded by a gen
eral OF brigade. Paris and Lyons each
constitutes a district by itself. The
fortified places are specially admins
tered by a service des Notifications"
with Paris as the center.
On the German frontier are three
frst-cIass fortresses. one of the second
class. two of the third and nine of the
fourth class. The Belgian frontier has
four of the first-class. eight OF the sec
ond class and six each OF the third and
fourth class. On the Italian frontier are
three first-class Notifications and IL de-
tached forts: on the Mediterranean
coast. the naval harbor of Toulon, a
fertilization of the first class and n
fourth-class forts: On the Spanish from
tier two first N two
forts. The Atlantic coast Is defended
by three first. three second and W
third-class Notifications and IL fourth
class forts; the channei coast by the
first-class fertilization OF rho
the second-class Notifications OF st.
Malo and lie Havre and is fourth-class
forts. To these would be distributed. In
case the u%rgencles OF war should re-
quire IT. the forces OF the territorial
army. so far as they were needed To re-
lease their garrisons for active duty in
the field. These territorialists are train
ed men: all of them have completed
their period of three years service in
<he active army and 10 years in the
reserve before entering upon their first
period of six years service In the ter
r~itorlal army. and six years In its re-
serve.
In its general details the organization
of the French military force Is very
simple and from its foundation TO the
last details refinements OF Its direction
are planned SO that the permanent
force can be promptly increased by the
addition Of well trained men.
Mobilization has been defined to be
the assembling of troops and bringing
them up to wal strength. II ends with
the concentration OF the strengtheneo
forces on chosen lines FOR attack or de-
Tense.
The principle upon which the French
army4is STRENGTHENED for war is the in
crease OF each company squadron and
battery. New regiments may be formed
IL desired, but the basis OF mobilization
is the enlargement OF existing units
The difference W the two organ
izations is shown in the following COM
parative tables:
PEACE STRENGTH.
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