New-York tribune., 1906-06-06

in battalions squadrons and batteries. is sta
toned the German frontier. General Hasron
has for four years been designated as the officer
who. according to the French custom, would
succeed General Brugere. and has consequently
had every opportunity 10 make himself thor
oughly familiar with the responsibility that
might suddenly devolve upon him. This idea
of appointing not only the generalissino. but
also his next successor originated with Presi
dent Loubet. in order TO insure ample prepara-
tion and also immunity from the risks due TO
accidents surprises at the last moment which
might seriously impede the rapidity of mobiliza-
tion. The successor to General Hagron is already
named in the person of General Michal. the pres
ent commander of the Twentieth Army Corps
General Hagron has the highest reputation as a
strategist and is considered by his brother off,
GERS as one OF the most brilliant men in the
army Although he has served almost ex-
elusively in the infantry he has shown remark
able aptitude in handling in the manoeuvres
large forces of cavalry and of artillery. He Is
a favorite of General de Galliffet. and is a warm
personal friend of ex-President Loubet To the
foresight and energy of General Hagron is large
ly due the universal Instruction in marksuan-
ship that prevails in the public schools and
colleges of France. and which is encouraged by
municipal prizes and shooting stands in the
communes of each department.
II is interesting to note that the new generals
simo enters upon his functions almost simulta-
neously with the operation OF the new law of re-
cruiting recently voted ny the parliament and
which abrogates the system which prevailed since
1889. The new law. with its two years term of
military service. making the blood tax absolutely
equal and impartial for al, classes does not great
ly increase the peace effectiveness but adds con-
sideraby to the number of trained men available
hereafter because even the young men. hither-
10 exempted because of being only sons or sup
porters OF families must now Join the colors like
all other able bodied youths. The Law will
enable France on June l of the present year 10
dispose of an active army and its reserves Of
2,5O0.OOO men. and d territorial army. exclusive
OF its reserves, OF 100000 The yearly con-
tngent will in future join the colors on October
g. and will be discharged on September 23, two
years later. a factor Of vital Importance that
underlies the military and foreign policies OF
Franco is the certainty that it is only a ques-
ton Of time when France must become inferior
to Germany as far the actual number of SOL
diers is concerned. This s due the compara-
lively stationary population OF France, as
against the rapidly increasing population of Ger
many. 1t is for this reason that the alliance of
France with a military nation like Russia pos
sessing large army is a necessity. The French
military authorities have strained every nerve
to maintain a technical superiority in rifles field
artillery ard ammunition. and have constructed
for each army corps separate lines OF railroads
10 the frontier. that the mobilization may be
as rapid as possible On both these points
technical superiority OF armament and swift
ness OF obilization-impartial experts de-
clare that France. at present. has advantage
over her eastern neighbo-. France could to-day
mobilize her forces forty-eight hours sooner
thousand trains constantly In reserve and avail
able az a moments notice
Another new feature that attends General
Hagron's advent TO power is the development
and extension OF the functions of the Superior
Council OF War. which now more closely than
ever resembles the Committee of Imperial De-
fence as IL exists in Great Britain. The French
Superior Council Of War. which was originally
devised by NJ. de Freycinet shortly after the
war with Germany. consists of ten members
The Minister of War acts as president and the
chief of the general staff is secretary. The vice.
president is designated as the senerallssimo. and
in event OF war has exclusive control OF the
movements of the army and of the navy. The
permanent war council of the navy now works
in conjunction with that of the army and there
by constitutes a sort OF national committee of
defence such as has never before existed in
France
General HagJon is indefatigable student.
He is familiar with all the lessons OF the war
OF secession In the United States. which he con-
siders still continues the most fertile source for
learning how 10 handle large masses OF cav
airy. He is keenly alive TO the advantages of
the loose formation adopted in the South African
campaign. and no one in Europe has more thor
oughly mastered the principles evolved by tho
operations of the Jspsnese armies in Manchuria.
General Hagron receives from all parts OF the