New-York tribune., 1906-12-25
FRANCE AND BRITAIN.
IN 4NTT-GERMAN BOND.
Co. operation against Aggressive
Moue Reported Assured.
rsy The Associated Pres.l

Par1s Dec. 24.-rn spite OK recent erroneous
reports that the Anglo-Fren understanding OF
1901 had been supplemented by a military or
naval convention. mutual corporation on sea
and land in the face OF aggressive move
against either nation is regarded as assured at
the ouai dorsay and in Downing Street The
machinery OF diplomacy has. however. been scru-
pulously avoided in the accomplishment of this
result No notes or drafts OF conventions have
been exchanged. Nothing has passed through
the only channels recognized by governments
as qualified 90 bind countries which could be
challenged by Germany aimed at her "isola-
tfon.s Nevertheless, IN q subtler and quite as
effective fashion the combination against Ger
many, SIS far as France and England are con-
oerned, can be considered a "fait accompi."
The other ramifications OF the diplomacy which
IS called in England the policy OK binding Ger
many over 70 keep the peace" which includes
the Russian English understanding, the cement
ins Of closer relations between Spain and Eng
hand. snd the weaving OF Italy from the Triple
Alliance ars also making progress.
II was regarded as preferable 70 lay the basis
q mutual support primarily in a broad and deep
A4~ndship between the two peoples. The
ssnsente cordiale" adjusting outstanding differ
snces had no sooner been signed than the cam
palg1 OF friendship was opened. All kinds Of
v1efts were exchanged, furnishing occasions for
celebrating the new found friendship. and now
o graat Anglo French exposition in London has
b~en planned for lsos. Matters had reached
rrch stage IN the Morocco crisis that Eng
hnt's physical as well as diplomatic support
wzs certain had the sword been unsheathed. At
cn1f tine the military and naval authorities Of
ID two countries were IN communication. and
sfter the crisis had passed they proceeded to
work out ain a purely technical fashion" plans
ut cooperation by land and sea to meet possi-
Saities. So intimate had the relations between
ras military departments Of the two countries
s~osns last summer. that General French, the
ch3sf of the English mission detailed TO attend
es French manguvres. was admitted to the
esrferences OF the French General Staff.
proposal TO reduce the size OF the cavalry arm
q ths French army-the branch OF the service
which has steadily decreased in Importance with
shs increasing range Of small atms-is attract
sns much attention in the army. in Parliament
sul b fhe press. The discussion revolves about
sfe necessity for strengthening the artillery.
upon which the fate OF modern battles depends.
As Parliament, with constantly growing budgets
and a deficit for the present year Of about 200
oUoo 600 francs, VIII not listen 20 an increase OF
military expenses. the only possibility OF
strengthening the artillery is at the expense Of
another arm Of the service. and all are agreed
that cavalry can be sacrificed with least danger
As II now stands. Frances field artillery, COM
pared with Germany's with which French
standards OF strength are naturally measured, is
less than two-thirds Of that OF her neighbor
Although the number Of batteries is about equal
namely, 800. the disparity OF strength is due to
the fact that eight years ago, when France pos
scEsed the only effective Quick-hring gun, the
number OF guns in each battery was reduced
from six TO four the tleary that four quick
1rers were superior 20 six Of the slower pattern
n use by the other powers. Since then, how
ever Germany has equipped her artillery with
& field gun good that Of the French, and
is able TO fire three shots to Frances two
Many officers believe the strengthening of the
artillery can be accomplished without increasing
the budget materially decreasing the
effectiveness by the complete suppression of
twelve OF the thirteen regiments OF Curassiers
and turning over the men and horses TO the ar
tillery- The argument. OF course is that IN mod
warfare the role OF cavalry has entirely
changed. Battles which formerly hung IN the
balance until the cavalry was launched. are now
decided by artillery and the long range fire OF
the modern rifle.
General Bonnal the most famous OF French
military writers, proposes that a third OF the
Den of Frances mounted gendarmerie who
number 1900 and practically all the horses be
turned over 10 the artillery. The remaining
6Oe0, with the exception OF the few needed for
service IN the mountainous districts he would
equip with bicycles