The sun., 1900-12-05
PLAN TO INVADE ENGLAND.
0EN. MERfIER STARTIIS THE FRENCH
sENArE ny MGGESTISG ONE.
Opsht 20 ne Prepared. lie says, ~ . Means Of
Inssrins Respect for French Rishts His
speech Cat short and His Resolution on the
ssbjecs Rsied Out He Has . Plan Ready.
!spstai Cab. Dopotch 10 THE SuS.


PARIS. Dec. %,--ien. Msrcier. who gained
uD@nviable notoristy In the Drsyfus affair,
startled the Senate to-day by urgently adj
vocatins that the French naval authorities
study the question Of invading England. and
also by Offering resolution on the subject.
Ii was during the discussion Of the bill to
augment the navy that Gen Mercier throw
his bomb. lie had been urging the general
principle that the main object in war.
whether on land or sea. was to be able to take
the offensive He contsnded that the bill
did not provide means for the French Navy
TO do this. and said IL was desirable in the
event Of conflict with England that the
French should aim at landing in that country.
SO far he had not aroused special atten-
t,on. but suddenly he began 10 treat the
subject as II an Anglo-French conflict were
impending He said that times had changed
since the beginning OF the century. Steam
ships. railways and teleeraphs made landnG 6
in England easier than then. Moreover
at present the power Of the hostile army
WAS far different Events In the Transvaal
had shown that the British Army. though h
gallant and sound, no longer fulfilled the
expectation OF the country. which had been
disillusioned regarding rs military power
The British Navy was doubtless powerful
and gave frances eventual adversary tho
command Of the sea- but 1t had TO protect
many coasts all over the world besides a
large mercantile marine. France coald there
fore equal the British numerically. while her
guns were superior. Furthermore. history
afforded several instances Of mutny in the
British Navy at the very moment Of battle
A landing in England was therefore not be-
yondrealization. This was also the opinion Of
the German General Won der Goltz and other
eminent military authorities Even the Brit
ish Prime Minister had lately shown a slg-
nihcant apprehension on the subject
Gen. MERCER then proceeded to announce
that he himself had formulated provisional
scheme for the invasion OF England. and said
he thought It would serve as q ba sis OF an
ultimate plan. He was proceeding 10 launch
into particulars when many Of the Senators
shouted proteste and the President begged
Gen. MERCER TO refrain from making the
"details public. Gen Mercier complied with
somewhat bad grace. but said the plan was
similar 10 that employed by tho japanese
In 1895 In their war with China with excellent
results. He added that the plan would
be inexpensive. Its preparation in France
would not exceed 0.ooo. 900 francs for land
ing on the Channel coast or 30. 600. .coO francs
for landing on the Atlantic coast or the Brit
ish possessions in tho Mediterranean.
Continuing. he said II WAS needless TO az
firm that the preparations would not con-
s'itute a provocation 70 Great Britain or
even show a desire for war. but to be ready
10 land was 10 possess the means Of insuring
respect for French rights and interests II
II only resulted In compelling England 10
assume the same military burdens as the
Continental nations. il would be a most happy
achievement. being an additional guarantee
OF peace. He declared that he would cup
port the bill TO augment the navy. but moved
TO add the following resolution.
The Senate calls on the Government as
a matter Of urgency TO complete the mobli-
zation scheme OF the army and navy by maxi
ing all the necessary preparations To embark
and disembark as rapidly as possible an
expeditionary-
Gen. Mercier got no further than this when
he was interrupted by protests from several
parts OF the house. and the President ruled
that the resolution could only be put as the
conclusion OF an Interpolation
NJ. de Lanessan. Minister OF Marine evoked
applause by declaring that the Govern ment
could not possibly accept the resolution.
The Senate then adjourned until Thursday.