The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-06
MISCHIEF FOUND
 IN FRENCH ARMY Might Cause Trouble in
 Case of War CRUELTY TO ANIMALS France Now Has Statutes Which Are in Line With Those of Other
 Countries-0ther Paris
 Gossip
By GEO. DUFRESNE

 chievous spirit is abroad in the French army. which might become serious dan ger to the country in case of war. Is oally becoming more evident and is caus- ing the government considerable anxiety especially at time when the Morocco question has not been finally settled
 While there is probably no more pa trotic nation in the world than tho French, and while undoubtedly every man capable of carrying arms would be ready to give his life for his country in case Of war, compulsory military service in times of peace is anything but popular, and the military labor unions, which time and again see their plans frustrated by the troops, are taking advantage of this to further their own ends.
 A recent trial of three labor leaders brought out a number of startling facts about the anti-militarist propaganda which have caused great feeling of alarm among patriotic citizens.
 The men were arrested in connection with the society known as Sou du Sol dat" This society sends pocket money to soldiers who are trades unionists. Ac- companying the money is circular urg- ing the soldiers to fire their rifles in the air should they be called upon to take part in a war.
 Questioned as to the working of the Sou du soldat' Victor Viau, one of the men under arrest. declared that the Sos .ciety was affiliated with the Bricklayers' union, which had about 14,5O0 members. Every member paid a franc a month. portion of this contribution went to make Up the postal orders of five and ten francs cent to the soldiers. A member of the union who fulfilled his military service did not receive more than ten francs a year.
 Asked who drew up the circulars incit- ing the soldiers to disobedience Viau con- fessed that he himself indited the anti militarist letter sent out in May.
 We appeal to the conscience of men," said viau flor we cannot admit that oomrade should be ordered to fire on his brother.' i. Tn answer to this circular many letters were received at the headquarters of the Sou du Soldat." One of these epistles ran:
 T have advised my comrades not to march on any occasion, and to disobey the orders of their officers if, they are asked to shoot"
 Another letter was thus conceived: "I will turn my toes If I am ordered to march, You count on me" 
 M. Delcasse has not made any startling alteration in the Lapeyrere navy law. un- der that scheme, IS battleships were to be laid down-two in each year. from 1910 10 1916 inclusive, and one in 1917 and in 1919 The first two-the Corbet and Jean Bart are already well advanced, and will be launched during the autumn, while or oers have been placed for the 1911 ships which have received the names of France and Paris. sb EsgBxEF Up to and including 1914, M. Delcasse proposes to adhere to the policy of his predecessor but in 1915 it is proposed to lay down four ships, two on January I md two on September 1. To counterbal- ance this there will be no armored vessel laid down in 1916 and the last two of the 16 will be commenced on January 1917 thus saving more than two years on the original scheme
 It remains to be seen whether the pro- 3ect will be adopted, but the programme certainly appears to be the minimum on which France will be able to hold her
 
 powers Meanwhile the new scheme of distribution is to come into force this month, although 1t will be some time be- nore all the units necessary to it's com plete achievement are ready for the pen nant. Under the new arrangement the whole of the fufly-commissioned ships will be in the Mediterranean. the first squadron consisting of the six Dantons. and the second of the four Ifbertes ana pa trio strong reserve fleet in the channel manned by sufficient men to keep the ships in thorough order. and ready ror sea.
 This move has undoubtedly been dictat ed by the progress of Italy and Austria. both of whom will have dreadnaught at sea before France
 The Impresaria Schurmann, who has toured most of the stars" has written |. most entertaining book of memoirs, under the title of Secrets de Coulisses"
 He says It is becoming increasingly diff dcuit to organize tours abroad because of the scarcity of young talent If all the leading actresses are not grandmothers ne rather ungallantly remarks, they might easily be.
 The reason Paris does not revolt against this perpetual eclipse of the young and ardent debutant, he goes on to say is be- cause the "repettions generates" is itself old and never changes. It would be con- ecious of it's bald head and gray whiskers II 1t saw new artist in the front rank
 The lady of thousand charms may weigh a hundred kilos or so and may have lost all outward grace, but. happily for her-though unhappily for art-the habitue looks upon her with the eyes of one-and- twenty. Yet the general public accord . ing to the impressario, has not the same ssesons for wishing to be deceived, and 70 1t stays away.
 He proposes to attract the public 10 the legitimate drama by substituting younger actresses for the passe stars of the pres. ent day.
 One of the last acts of the Senate prior to the recess was to vote the prevention of cruelty to domestic animals bill No legislation tending to the same purpose seems to have been adopted in France sip1e 1850, and therefore the present re- eorm has exceptional interest
 Up till now no person could be pun ished for cruelty to animals unless h., was the owner. or represented the owner. Thus wine-dealer, who seized two of- lending dogs. poured turpentine over them and set them alight, was dismissed