The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1900-12-13
MERClER MACS
THE BRITISH
Says That England May
Be Invaded
Easily.

PARIS, Dec. General Mercier
caused a deep sensation in the Senate
today during the debate on the naval
bill by pointing out the ease with
which England could be invaded.
He demanded the Government intro
duce into the plans for the mobilization
of the army and navy methods for the
rapid embarkation and debarkation of
an expeditionary corps. The President,
NJ. Fallieres, interviewed, declaring that
such proposals were out of order.
! In the course of an extraordinary
speech General Mercier said: In view
of the possibility of war with Great
Britain, the use of the army is not suf-
ficiently taken into account. The times
are not the same as they were a hun
Idred years ago Steam, the navy. the
telegraph and railroad have rendered
the problem of invasion of England
much easier of solution. Moreover,
England itself is no longer the same.
The Transvaal has shown that the
British army, although brave, is not
equal to the task which England ex-
Ipected it to perform. The British navy
is powerful, but it has many coasts to
defend.
IL
Englard's equal at certain points, and
lis even her superior in the Instruments
of destruction. History furnishes many
instances of mutiny in the English
navy at the moment of battle. A land
ling in England, therefore, is not be-
yond realization.
This is not only my opinion but that
also of high naval officers. The British
ID,a, any,fI e,te foo ~
fears. and, If the principle of landing
is admitted, the practical means of ex-
ecution may be decided.
II venture to think that the work
1 prepared while commanding an army
corps could serve as a basis for such q
project, which would not be expen-
sive."
At this point protests were raised and
NJ. Fallieres asked General Mercier not
to enter into the details of the scheme
General Mercier replied that the
lscheme could be held over the head o1
English like the sword of Damocles.
and he proposed a resolution that the
Senate should invite the Government tC
complete Immediately preparations fol
1.-The mobilization of the army and navy
by preparing everything necessary tC
possible an expeditionary corps.
Protests were raised from various
benches and NJ. de Lenessan, Minister
of Marine, followed the Presidents rul
ing that the motion was out of ordel
: in the present debate by declaring
amid cheers, that the Government
could not possibly accept it.
NEW YORK. Dec. 5.--A dispatch t.
the Tribune from London says:
The English press is displaying sign
of increased excitement over Gen. Mer
ciers speech respecting a French inva
sion and in thereby strengthening hi
hand and enabling him to regain tn.
prestige lost during the Dreyfus trial
The journals can well afford to laugl
at 1t, instead of taking it seriously
since the British Governemnt has no
shown uneasiness over the various mis-
sion of French officers in English port.
during the last year. Officers of tn,
French army and navy are CONSTANT,
talking about the possibility of effect
ing landing in England. 1t is theil
most interesting technical problem
They have precise informal ton abou
the defences of English towns like Do
Yer, Portsmouth and Plymouth. alst
about the military resources of port!
like Liverpool. French officers were Sc
cretly occupied for weeks last sprine
in preparing detailed drawings of tn,
lfortifications of Dover and the defenses
of Liverpool and other ports and thes,
plans were filed with the proper depart
ments in Paris. The British Govern.
ment was aware of these proceeding.
but considered it a matter of no i'm
lportance.