The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-22

not incur penalty. He loses ,.le right,
however. should he remain away, to ben
eft by certain dispensatfons which win
shortly be explained. and he is purely
and simply taken as soldier; without
more adobe is taken d'office. 1t is tech
nically said. In the case Of the con-
scripts who come up before it--and they
are the vast majority--the council decides
whether they are physically fit to per-
form their military service. and pro-
nounces on the admissibility of the
claims they may put in to be dispensed
from the full term of service, to serve
one year instead of three. The question
OF physical fitness is settled, OF courss,
by a medical examination. an experience
that affords the conscript his first taste
of the promiscuity of barrack life. for
with all his comrades he has to strip
TO the skin and await his turn, 1t may be
for an hour or more, in a common room
in puris naturalibus. II the health of
a conscript is doubtful the decision with
regard to him may be adjourned, and he
is told to come up again In six months
or a years time. II should be mentioned
that the minimum height accepted is
1.54 metres, or about five feet three
inches.
The privilege OF only serving one year
is accorded In the first place to certain
cumstances are exceptional. Thus the
eldest son or only son of a widow. the
eldest son Of family of orphans. the
eldest son of family Of seven or more
children, and the elder Of two brothers
who happen to be conscripts in the same
year are entitled to a dispensation. The
dispense ton is also granted to young
men whose earnings are proved to be in
disI ensable to the support of their fam
fly, and to the brothers of soldiers who
have died or been definitely invaded
while on active service. BY far the
largest class. however. of single-year
soldiers is furnished by the learned pro-
fessions. The young men who are study
Ing to be barristers, doctors. professors
and engineers, or for certain other ca
reers. have to serve but one year. This
concession Is conditional on their passing
their examinations; should they fall in
them they must return to the army and
complete their three years. The num-
Der Of dispensee from all causes Is very
considerable. some 10000 out Of the ESQ.,
900 or so conscripts who form the annual
contingent.
The council of revision takes note Of
the conscripts trade. occupation or pro-
fession. this matter and. so far as his
physique allows. mis- own wishes eeing
taken into consideration in assigning him
to this or that branch of the service. The
labors OF the council over. the results
are sifted and classified at the war Of
fice. and the destination of each con-
script settled. He learns his fate by the
receipt of his ''feuille de Z route or
marching orders, an official intimation
commanding him to join the corps to
which he has been attached on a given
day. II he is penniless. his third-class
railway fare Is given him by the mayor
Of his district. Should he be able to
meet this expense the sum Is refunded
him on his Joining his regiment Failure
to comply with the instructions contain
ed In the "feuile de route" Is accounted
an act of characterization, and exposes
the. "insoumis" to severe penalties. The
Incorporation of the classe takes place.
as a rule. In November. The conscript
has become a "bleu," and is entitled to
the munificent pay OF a half-penny per
day.