Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-01-04
CONSCRIPTS OF FRANCE.
MILITARY SYSTEM is STRICT AND
NO MAN ESCAPES.

than the military authorities have
their eyes on him, says Il writer in the
Pail Mall Gazette. Within three days
after his entry into the world his par
ents are bound under severe penalties
to register his birth at the local marie,
or town hall. This formality accom-
plished the youngster at once receives
the visit of the doctor attached to the
register office. The medecin de fetat
civil, as this functionary is termed,
veritieS the declaration made by the
parents and satisfies himself that the
infant is indeed a man in miniature.
This precaution is necessary as the
father and mother, We're they left en-
tirely to their own devices, might be
tempted to palm off their boy as Il
girl, with a view to enabling him to
escape his military service.
The existence OF the youngster hav-
ing thus been duly placed on record,
he is allowed to run loose for score
of years. If he chooses to, he can
shorten this period of liberty by volun-
tarily enlisting before his time, provid-
ing, of course, his physique passes
muster. The marine infantry, corps
that sees good deal of actual fight
ing in the colonies, recruits a number
of adventurous spirits in this way, and
not few of the young men who pro-
pose to adopt the army as their career
improve their prospects by making an
early start. AS soon as his twentieth
| birthday is passed he begins to have
keen eye on the official posters dis
played on 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 miscellane-
GUS fellows, they compel attention by
most apparent distinctive sign, con-
sisting of two tricolor flags placed
crossways above the reading matter
and printed in colors. One of these
military posters details the arrange
ments for the departure of the class
or annual contingent, and from it the
conscrpt learns the date Of his incor-
poration and other items of informa-
ton.
In the course of his twentieth year
he should give his address to the near
est recruiting office, and see that the
mayor of his district has put down his
name among the conscripts of the com
ing class. The mayor, however, is
bound to see that his name is on the
| list, whether he concerns himself with
his inscription or not
1t should be said that the conscript
draws his number in the January that
follows the completion of his twentieth
year. In consequence, a conscript born
III December has only just turned 20
! when the army claims him, whereas,
conscript whose birth is in January
is Il at the time of the tirage au sort
Inc only use at present of the drawing
or numbers is that when there is a
deficiency of men for the marine in
fantry the vacancies are filled up
from among the conscripts who have
Drawn the numbers one, two or three.
For the next six months or so the
conscript is left to himself, but toward
the middle of the year he makes ac-
quaintance in earnest with the mill
tary authorities. The occasion is the
sitting of the councils of revision, the
bodies that definitely decide the fate
OF the conscripts. The council of revi-
sion is composed Of two civil function
/ aries, of superior officer and of an
army doctor, and it has the assistance
Oh member of the recruiting staff
and of several gendarmes. A council
sits In the chief town of every canton.
The mayors of the different localities
comprised in the district are allowed
to be present at its operations with
view to safeguarding the interests of
the sons Of their electors. The con-
script is expected to present himself
Defore the council but should he alb
stain from putting in an appearance
he does not incur penalty. He loses
the right, however should be remain
away, to benefit by certain dispenso-
tions which will shortly be explained
soldier without more adobe is
taken doffice, it is technically said. In
the case OF the conscripts who come up
before it-and they are the vast ma
}ority-the council decides their mill.
tary service. and pronounces on the
admissibility of the claims they may
put In to be dispensed from the full
term of service, to serve one wear in
stead of three. The question of physi-
cal hness is settled, of course, by a
medical examination.
The privilege of only serving one
year is accorded in the first place TO
certain classes of young men whose
FAMILY circumstances are exceptional.
Thus the oldest son or only son Of n
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 he con.