New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-14

gunners when serving their guns enable the
artillery to advance and support infantry at
tacks in a manner which would otherwise have
been impossible
1t is the opinion Of military attache Of great
experience who has just returned from the Tou-
louise manOeuvres Dit is only fair state that
the military authority in question IS neither
Captain Mott, of the United States Embassy,
Lieutenant Stuart WORTHY of the British
Embassy that the French field artillery is the
finest possessed to-day by any army in the
world. and that its chiefs have succeeded in
studying out a system Of utilizing its qualities
to extraordinary advantage in offensive opera
tons which in actual warfare would dsconcert
the forces opposed 10 Il. The foreign critics
were all greatly impressed by the excellence Of
the horses of the French artillery and cavalry.
They consider that the supple light, waterproof
laced shoes now worn by the French infantry
man at least equal to the shoes served out
to the American and British foot soldiers, and
far superior to the half boots worn by the in
fantry Of Germany and Russia. The custom of
the French troops to march and fight in their
long blue overcoats, custom that prevails no
where else but in France and in Spain. is con-
sidered disadvantageous. Rainy weather such
as prevailed during the manpuvres just con-
cluded makes the long skirts OF the overcoat
a serious impeachment in marching, notwith-
standing the habit of buttoning back the front
flaps TO give play to the legs. Another point
of criticism that the French infantryman,
unlike the German foot soldier, is not provided
with trowels or trowel bayonets to throw up a
rapid improvised shelter on the firing line.
For the first time Ear 1 am aware, since
the war of 1870 a French newspaper has sent
a special correspondent to accompany the ma
noeuvres of the German army, which. under En-
peror Williams supervision taking place
on the plains of Brandenbourg. The correspond
ent of lie Matin.'' CASTOR St!egIer, Is believed
to reflect pretty closely the impressions of the
French military attache, who is also with the
Kaiser near Frankfort on Oder, His crit
icisrns are that the movements Of the German
infantry are too mechanical. that the German
firing line is not sufficiently scattered, and the
German soldier lacks the individual quichness
of initiative required by the dispersed forrna-
ton Of modern warfare.
The French critic notes that the German SOL
diers detest their heavy, ungainly helmets ana
that the first thing they do when at liberty
is to remove them. and would be only too glad
to throw away their cumbrous. ridiculous head
gear altogether.
Another subject of censure supplied by
the spectacular manner in which Emperor Will
lam On Thursday at the head of twelve regi-
serves that the long serpentine line OF squad
rons marching within artillery range to assem-
bic for the charge would have been mown down
in actual warfare. Nevertheless, the Emperor
bv the beautiful movement, characterized by
mathematical precision of evolution attained all
the success Of q superb performance at the
opera.
The German mitraieuses do not seriously I'M
press the French critic, because while their hor-
izontal sweep Of fire IS Sc enormous yet their
range of elevation and depression is so limited
as TO impair their usefulness. It is pointed out
nv lie Matin" that Emperor William Is an
enthusiastic partisan OF the German 1ll'fali
lenses and he observes that Napoleon III had
a similar recollection for an analogous weapon,
the French Initrailleuse, which proved SO terri
bly, delusive IN 1870
General Andre. French Minister of War dur
ino the rnancauvres just concluded near Tou-
1ousa was greatly impressed by the new uni
form of the United States Army worn by Cap
tain Mott to whom he remarked: The ohlted
States Army has the most seTVlceaDIe ana
warlike uniform I have ever seen. The head
dress is perfect; the color is scientifically correct
To nv mind the new American uniform Is the
1 best vet invented" General Brugere, command
er in chief. and the French officers Of the
Younger and less traditional school share Gen
eral Andres admiration.
The national financial situation continues its
steady progress from bad to worse. The official
figures show that for the month OF August the
receipts were So 100000 below the estimates.
The shortage in receipts for eight months Of
1902 as compared TO estimates. now amounts
TO Sl6.4OOO01 to which must be added $4,000
Osg9 of supplementary credits voted by the
Chamber and 50 100000 borrowed since Janu-
airy l. 1902 to meet the governments indebted
ness in regard TO the guaranteed dividends OF the
great railroad companies. This brings the totat
deficit for the year up TO September / to the
enormous sum Of 14S,o0o0o0 francs or $500
600 which is already record breaking figure
for a time Of peace The most optimistic author-
tiles see no chance for any Increase of receipts
during the next four months, and if this proves
true the total deficit for 1902 will reach 100
100000 francs or S400OoO0o. In financial cir
cles new loan of 800 000.oo0 francs or $3.50
100000 is confidently predicted as necessary TO
balance the deficits of the last FIVE years
1t is with feelings Of despair that conservative
fnanciers are making up their minds TO nla tlat
in time of profound peace and industrial pros
peritv the national debt should be increased
by nearly two mliards of francs
NJ Rouvier. the astute Minister Of Finance,
who is not responsible for the deplorabie stu
alton the primary causes for which are the ex-
travagant expenditures of preceding legislatures
hoped TO mend matters by applying the alcohol
tax to private distillers les bouilleurs de cru
who are allowed to distil twenty litIes or alco-
mol for their own consumption exempt from
taxation. The mere idea of such measure
however, has aroused indignation IN the Depart
ments OF Isere. Haute Saone and JuTa, ana the
plan Will probably be abandoned because X
would ALLEVIATE thousands Of voters VINO are no"
stanch supporters Of the Ministry The moral
of all this is that finance is the most vulnerable