The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-05
The Political situation in France

Inc POLITICAL SITUATION In france,
OF the three measures to the support
Of which NJ. RoUvIER pledged himself
when he assumed the Premiership, one,
the abbreviation of the term Of service
under the colors, has already become
a law, and there now seems to be no
doubt that the other two, the abolition
Of the Concordat, and the income tax,
will be carried out during the present
session Of the Chamber.
The new military service law outs
down from three TO two years the term
during which conscripts must serve In
the army. The obvious aim Of the
measure is to lessen by one-third the
burden imposed upon French industries
by the duty Of national self-defence.
European professional soldiers differ as
to whether the change will render the
French Army less effective, but the pre-
ponderant opinion among French ex-
perts is that the efficiency OF the rank
and file will be in no wise impaired.
Some high authorities even assert that
one years rigorous training should
suffice to qualify the average conscript
for infantry service, and perhaps also
for service in the cavalry, although it is
admitted that for artillery a longer
term would be needed. Another inn
portant feature Of the revised military
law is the cancellation Of all exemptions.
Hereafter every able bodied male within
the military age will have TO serve two
years, but during the second year edu-
Gated persons who look forward 10
practising such professions as the law,
medicine and civil engineering, will be
required to serve only in the reserve,
and thus will have a good deal Of leisure
for the prosecution Of their studies. The
new law, as might be expected, Is ex-
tremely popular, and political economists
count upon it TO cause an immediate and
notable enlargement in the output Of
French farms, vineyards, factories and
mines.
The Chamber Of Deputies has lately
given decisive proofs Of its determine
tion 10 uphold the Ministry's purpose 20
effect with the utmost possible prompt !
tude a divorce OF the State from the
Church. A proposal 10 postpone the
measure until after the general election
OF 1905 was rejected by an overwhelming
ma ority, although il was pointed out
that when the present Chamber was
chosen the abolition Of the Conoordat
was not among the issues on which the |
turned. Rejected also was
the suggestion that the provisions Of the
bill should be referred 70 a commission
on which the Catholic, Protestant and |
Israelite clergy, all Of whom are now
paid by the State, should be represented.
1t would be a mistake, however, TO as
sumo that the attitude Of the present |
Premier toward religion is as bitter and
as was that Of his predecessor.
The impression is gaining ground that
NJ. RoUvIEB will accept certain amend
ments by which the rigor Of the bill
rs originally presented will be sensibly
For example, the Govern
ment, while persisting in it's intention
10 declare all Church buildings the prop
erty Of the State, may permit them to be
used gratuitously for religious purposes.
II may also agree that the existing
Bishops and priests, together with the
Protestant ministers and Hebrew rabbits.
shall continue 10 receive their present
stipends so long as they live. Only the
burden Of supporting their successors
would fall upon the laity. This conces-
zion may have a political as well as a
sentimental motive, for the French
win thus be shielded from
ceiling all at once the significance Of the
'hange by which the cost Of maintain
ng public worship is shifted from the
state 10 their shoulders.
That tho bill imposing an income tar