The San Francisco call., 1905-06-25
Army and Navy
Officers Expect
a Clash.
Not Since FaShoda In
Cident Has Nation
Been So Stirred.
Government, However, Holds
View That There Will be
No Resort to Arms.

PARIS, June 24.-For the first time since
The FashOda incident the French public is
IN the thrOes OF the war fever Whether
IL VIII result in anything serious depends
oll Germany's response 10 the French note
on MOROCCO but without considering the
exact status Of the diplomatic negotia-
lions. considerable element Of the pub
lie and press seriously discuss the posi-
blltlcs CT d resort 10 arms ATmy circles
are particularly active and at the mill
lary Gibbs the officers are mainly engaged
IN making comparisons OF the forces OF
france and Germany. While the finan-
eisl leaders scout the idea Of war, yet
Jile speculative clement has been quick
10 seize the opportunity 70 raid French
rentes, which. when they closed tonight,
showed a fall OF one franc eight centimes
within the week.
The Official view is that the situation,
willie delicate, does not present any as
9ect OF danger or crisis involving rup-
ture of relations. This is the governments
al view and naturally presents the most
favorable aspect Of the controversy How
ever, the ambassadors of the leading
powers express impartial opinions fully
sustaining the view Of the Government.
II Is pointed out in diplomatic quarters
hat the worst aspect Of the Moroccan
question does not present casus belli.
An analysis Of the controversy shows thai
the Sultan of Morocco invited the powers
10 q conference. Germany urges the
powers. including France, to accept. Pre-
rnier Rouvier's latest note shows the will
ingness Of France TO consider a confer
ence if Germany explain her purposes:
but. even If France decline TO accept, this
refusal Of the invitation does not consti-
tute cause for war. A diplomat summed
up the situation by saying that the COM
plete default Of the present negotiations
would not mean war, as the controversy
would proceed along new lines.
The controversy serves TO call atten-
ton 10 the complete state OF readiness OF
the French military system TO meet any
emergency. The present peace footing of
the army is $50 900 men. This force is
organized on an elastic basis. whereby
the doubling and tripling Of the strength
of each company doubles and trebles the
aggregate of the army. The first and
second reserves are made up Of trained
men who heretofore have completed the
military service, which the state requires
III citizens to complete. The equipment
Of the reserves is always kept in readi-
ness at the barracks. Military experts
say that the calling OF the first reserves
TO the colors would probably furnish an
immediate force approximately of a mil
Jon trained men. and thereafter the sec
aIl6 reserves and the territorial military
would permit of much further expansion.
The system Of mobilization ana equip
nent has undergone great improvement
as the result OF lessons learned during
the last war Annual maneuyers, which
constitute mobilization on a great scale.
are frequent, and this mobilization in
various districts in which the full
strength Of the horses, wagons, trains
and equipments are quickly assembled.
This military preparedness has no great
bearing on the present controversy, but
the military critics cite IL as evidence
that France is not likely to again suffer
from the confusion and delay incident
10 the beginning OF the last war.
La Lberte began the publication to-
night Of q series OF articles from the
frontier showing the excited state of
public feeling and the activity Of the
military forces which are alleged TO be
constantly drilling and undergoing in
spection. The tenor Of the articles is
similar 10 those that have appeared here
tofo-e, which showed the high military
spirit along the border and the precau-
tionary measures adopted on both sides
20 keep the forces in state of prepared
ness.