The Detroit times., 1909-03-22
FRANCE 0UTW|TTEO
BY GERMANY IN
DIPLOMACY
De cAsTELLANE LET'S IN LITTLE
LIGHT ON LATEST COURTESY
or TWO NATioNs-oLD ENMITY
STILL LIVES.
BY MARQUIS DE cAsTELLANE.

PARIS, March 20.-Talleyrand used
to say We should always beware OF our
first impulse because that was the
right one. The first time Germany
held out its hand to US the impulse OF
France was to stand aloof Only the
second time did we heed. And the
first time We were right.
For, examining closely into the new
Franco-German agreement. which
seemed SO full OF promise at the time
OF its signature, the wise now see thai
Germany merely renounces rights
which never existed. and that France
has not one whit 10 gain. IL Is mere
question OF international courtesy, IN
which Germany seems to promise
Europe that she will no longer treat
us like little boys TO whom the whip
must be shown each morning so that
they may remain good throughout the
day and may not try TO resist papa )
will on any point.
IL our government is pleased with
this II Is not particularly exacting;
and as for me, feel that could have
dispensed with this solemn official dec
laration that We are not 10 be
threatened in the future. 1t is true
that the formal establishment OF cour-
tesy IL something, where Germany Is
concerned. And perhaps from this
some day We may step forward TO real
negotiations In regard TO our lost prov
inces, which we still intend to recover
War as Sport.
In view of the recently published
statement OF the German General
Schliffen, 1t has struck me that war
will soon be ranked as a sport, and
battles Will resemble those mythica!
American duels where the adversaries
are turned loose In plot OF ground
to take pot shots at each other.
deadly are the arms and pro-
jectiles OF up-to-date European armies.
says he. that soldiers can no longer
advance py ranks In the open. During
the Russo-Japanese war the "Nambu'
brigade was annihilated in the course
OF a few seconds for having tried 10
use the old tactics. 1t Is established
that regiments can no longer march
up In double lines under fire. The
thing To be most beware OF strategical-
" would be masses attracting the en-
emy's attention. So, first one single
line would advance; then, long time
after still another line. and the gem
eral charge would come only with the
bayonets at the end of the battle.
So armies would have to scatter
over much taster spaces, and the
picturesque effect would result of lit
tie bands moving here and there, ris-
Ing up from the earth and rushing
forward To the next hill where they
may lie down and hide once more.
Cavalry must go. OF course, and as for
the emperor oil his white horse sur
rounded by his brilliant escort. he
will be left for museums and the stage.
The new general in command Will SIT
In a shed far out of harms way.
scrutinizing maps and answering tele-
phone calls or reading and sending
kilograms.
Like Rabbit Warrens.
II the battlefelds of the future are
to be like rabbit warrens, the gen
erals will be like the owners OF these
same warrens, who will drop around
between breakfast and dinner to see
how their sport is getting on.
The chamber of deputies has a,
last become an interesting place OF
resort.
The parliamentary revolution has
been brought about by the foundation
OF club for bridge-playing deputies.
While orators are storming and the
president Is doing and the members
at their bepches are yawning. other
more fortunate deputies now retire
to a private room where they can
while away the hours until the vote
comes around, and then, warned by
an electric bell, they have time TO
reach their places In the audience
chamber and vote.
Certain members among the Radi-
Gals and Socialists who lack society
graces and ignore bridge want 10
found a rival club OF their own. |
would suggest that they initiate tho
English village OF Chelmsford and
found a Red Nose Club now that
everybody Is talking OF the necessity
for protecting wine interests in
France.