The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-13

British volunteer, who has given the best
proof he really wants to be a soldier. But
off duty the French conscript cannot help
getting all the social consideration due TO
his Disgusting uniform. i have seen such
a one, in uniform, accompanying his moth
err to church-and she a duchess. | have
seen another, just behind him, enter the
same church-and he the son of a poor
peasant woman, who assists her husband
in suburban truck patch. Each had the
military bearing. AT first sight you could
scarcely have told them apart.
1t results from all this that the French
private soldier might go anywhere in uni
form where he might go as a civilian, were
it not for the embarrassing presence of his
superior officers. In The ordinary garrison
towns there is an understanding that GER
tain cafes and restaurants must be left
sacred to this hierarchy. 1t is not as if
the citizens objected to the presence of
the rank and file in uniform. Nor would
any officer, If questioned, admit any per-
sonal repugnance to sitting In the same
room with one of his privates. He would
simply say that 1.-THE thing is embarrassing
all around" and that 'it is not done" In
these garrison towns the military element
outweighs all others Often there are not
enough civilians to dilute the military
clientele of a cafe to anything like the
proportions of a mixed assembly. It Is
not fitting that officers and men should
mingle socially. And they could not help
mingling uncomfortably should both class
es frequent the same brasseries, cafes and
restaurants. Two-thirds of the rank and
file. indeed, would never need TO be re-
stricted so. Sons of poor or moderately well
off parents, it would not occur to them to
disport in places of expensive entertain
rnent on their holidays. But the other third
might feel considerable hardship but for
the sustaining thought that after all, the
thing is only temporary and that In a cou-
pie OF years they are to put off the uni
form and be themselves again. When Max.
Lebaudy was at Belfort 1t was amusing
70 observe him lodging his superiors, and
the incongruity of his position and his ten
denotes furnished the inhabitants of the
little town with continual entertainment.
In the great cities like Marsellles Bor-
deaux and Paris the French solder finds
no such social difficulties while he wears
his uniform. 1t would be as unnecessary
as impossible to make any such list of
places of public entertainment. If he have
the money to pay for 1t, the private IN
uniform may occupy the best seat in the
house at a matinee of the Coincide Fran
caise or the grand opera. He will have no
more officers to salute than he would on
the Boulevard des Italiens. AS for the res
taurants and cafes, there are so many,
while the private soldiers on leave of alb
sence are so few that there is no reason
why the well-to-do young couscript should
not take his pick of them whenever he has
the opportunity. Where the civilian ele-
ment is so preponderating, the military
etiquette Of the small towns has no rea-
son for existence. A private would scarce
ly put himself down beside an officer; but
he could not be expected not to enter an
esta blishment because an officer might be
there. 1t is mere salute when they meet
as in the street. OF course, there Is
great deal of saluting, and II must be
done with proper ceremony and respect
When a French conseript out on leave
walks down the Paris boulevard at 5 D.
m. his hand is going to his head continu-
ally. But he is always able to console him
self with the reflection that the matter is
almost as annoying TO his superiors as to
himself; while for the rest 1t is a part of
his three years ordeal OF patriotism. He
does not choose to be a soldier. and he
will be glad when Il Is over. And, finally.
he knows that the person really to be pit
led is oftener the officer than himself
The French military officer, who has no
private fortune, finds his only resource In
a wealthy marriage. His social position
gives him great opportunities in this re-
gard; and II he does rot take advantage OF