New-York tribune., 1900-07-01

him to escape his military service. Until not
very long ago every child had to be taken to
me marie shortly arter It's blrth TO aIoW
the authorities 10 convince themselves that no
mistake had been made regards the
Even now, however, mistakes do occur, and
every and then crops up of d girl
to the books of the recruiting department and
is summoned to serve with the coIors.
The existence Of the youugster having thus
been duty placed on record, he is allowed TO run
loose for a score Of years. If he chooses TO he
can shorten this period of liberty by voluntarily
enlStlng before MS time, providing OF course
his physique passes muster The marine in
fantry, a corps that sees good deal of actual
fighting in the colonies recruits number OF
adventurous spirits in this way. and not few
OF the young men who propose 10 adopt the
army as their career improve their prospects
by making early start The average con-
script however, IS in no hurry, and takes ad-
vantage OF the full latitude allowed him 10y the
law. He is we'll aware that he must begin 10
thInk seriously OF his military Obligations the
moment he is ont Of his teens. Even if this
necessity had not been drilled into him at
school, he could not ignore it since II is the
stant preOccupation OF his relatives and com
rades. In consequence. as soon as his twentieth
birthday is passed he begins to have q keen
eye on the official posters displayed the
walls Of the Town Hall the schools, and other
public buildings. These posters are white like
all other official posters in France. but they are
OF exceptional size while, that there may be no
possibility of their escaping notice among their
many miscellaneous fellows they compt- at
tentIon by most apparent distinctive sign. con
slsting OF two trlcOlOT flags placed crussways
above the reading matter and printed in coI0rs
one of these military posters details the ar
rangemeuts for the departure Of the clasSe or
annual contingent. and from ii the conscript
learns the date OF his Incorporation and other
items Of information
In the course Of his twentieth year he should
give his address TO the nearest recruiting office
and see that the Mayor Of his district has put
down his name among the cOnScripts of the
coming class The Mayor, however. is bound to
see that his name Is on the list whether he con-
Germs himself with his inscription or not The
next step IS the tlrage au sort. drawing of q
number Since the Introduction Of universal
military service the operation is practically 4
mere fOrmaiity. the abolition of which is con
templated. II takes place in January and Feb
ruary at every town hall throughout the coun-
try. Every coGscrjpt draws his number in the
district in which he born. Il Is not in pera-
tive that he should attend the nony in per
son, as in his absence the Mayor viii draw q
number for him. The greet majority Of the con-
scripts make the occasion the excuse for a irIIi-
fcaton. With a large square of paper gor-
geOusly coloTed and bearing the number he has
drawn pinned TO his nat. and bedeCkad with
d number of tricOlOr rosettes the Corscript. ac-
companied by his friends and fellow canscTjpts
tours from wine shop 10 wine shop singing and
finally bawIing as he goes along patriotic and
regimental songs It should be said that the
conScript draws his number in the January that
follows the completion Of his twentieth year In