The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-25
Whole Army is in the Pink Of
Condition
PUBLIC IS GREATLY AROUSED
Present Peace Footing of French Army
Is $4,000 Men-DipIomat Think
Affair Will Be Set.
tied Peacefully

Paris, June a. s p. m.-For the first
time since the Fashoda incident. the
French public is in the throes of the
war fever.
Whether it will result in anything
serious depends on Germany's response to
the French note on Morocco, but without
considering the exact status of the Dip
lomatic negotiations, considerable ele-
ment of the public and press seriously
discuss the possibilities of a resort to
arms. Army circles are particularly active
and at the military clubs the officers are
mainly engaged in making comparisons
OF the forces Of France and Germany
While the financial leaders scout the
idea OF war. yet the speculative element
has been quick to seize the opportun-
ity to raid French rentes which. when
they closed tonight, showed fall of one
franc. eight centimes within the week.
The official view is that the situation
while delicate, does not present any as
pect of danger or 2 crisis involving a
rupture of relations This Is the govern
mental view and naturally presents the
most favorable aspect of the controversy.
However, the ambassadors of the leading
powers express impartial opinions fully
sustaining the view of the government.
Does Not Present casus BelIi.
1t is pointed out in diplomatic quar-
ters that the worst aspect of the Mo-
rocean question does not present a casus
beli. Analysis of controversy shows that
the sultan of Morocco invited the powers
to conference Germany urges the pow
crs, including France, to accept. Premier
Rouvier's safest note shows the willing
ress OF France to consider conference
If Germany explains her purposes, but
even should France decline to accept, this
refusal of the invitation does not con-
stitute a cause for war diplomat sum-
med up the situation by saying that the
complete failure of the present negotia-
tions would not mean war as the contro-
versy then would proceed along new lines
1t would doubtless lead to direct appeals
to the sultan with Il view of securing the
upper hand in Morocco, While the pessl-
mistlc element foresees that Germany VIII
seek pretext for trouble, yet the actual
state of affairs does not warrant such
gloomy forebodlngs.
France Ready for Fray.
The controversy serves to call attention
TO the complete state of readiness of
French military system to meet any
emergency. The present peace footing of
the army is $50. 900 men. This force is or
ganized on an elastic basis whereby the
doubling and tripling of the strength of
each company doubled and triples the ag-
gregate army. The first and second re-
serves are made up of trained men. who
heretofore have completed the military
xtrffl .fal fBo t,t.
citizens to complete. The equipment OF
the reserve Is always kept In readiness at
the barracks.
Military experts say that the calling Of
the first reserve to the colors would prob
ably furnish an immediate force approxi-
mately of a million trained men, and
thereafter the second reserves and the
territorial militia would permit of much
further expansion. The system of mob
ilizaton and equipment has undergone
great Improvement as the result of les
sons learned during the last war. An
nual maneuvers which constitute mobili-
zatlon on a small scale, are frequent
and tests Of mobilization occur In various
districts In which the full strength OF
horses wagons. trains and equipments are
quickly assembled. This military prepared
ness has no direct bearing on the present
controversy, but the military critics cite
IL as evidence that France Is not likely
delay incident to the beginning of the
last war
La Liberte tonight began the publica-
tion Of a series Of articles from the 'front.'
tier showing the excited state of public
feeling and the activity of the military
forces. which are alleged TO be constantly
drilling and undergoing inspection The
tenor of the articles is similar to that of
those that have appeared heretofore,
which showed the high military spirit
along the border and the precautions
adopted on both sides to keep the forces
In a state of preparedness.
The diplomatic situation remains un-
changed as Germany has not yet present.
ed her answer to the French note.
Removal to Be Notable Event.
The French and American authorities
are perfecting plans for the ceremonies in
cident to the removal of the body of Paul
Jones to the United States. which is ex-
pected to be a notable event.
The American embassy has been advised
that Assistant Secretary of State Loomis
will arrive here about the same time
the American naval party reaches Paris.
Countess cassini who is visiting here.
Is slowly recovering from a long and
severe attack Of fever. Her physicians pro-
nounce her to be entirely out of dam
ger and say that convalescence is pro-
ceedng satisfactorily.
government bill has been prepared for
Introduction in parliament having am
nesty for those condemned in the high
court for the revolutionary plot In 1899.
The principal beneficiary, should the bill
pass will be Paul de Roulede. former
member OF the chamber of deputies, who
Is now In political exile In Spain. The
measure Is also intended to revoke the
penalties arising from the recent secret
army reports