The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-07
(Chicasc Trihune.)


Europe has drawn the color
line SO closely as America has. but all
military Europe is astounded at
Frances proposition to enlist an ac-
tive army of 5000 blacks from her
colonies to Offset that element of the
present force which is burning with
discomfort and is no longer regarded
as altogether reliable. 1t is evidently
setting the black up as a check upon
white man in the army. The huge
will constitute a giant fighting mech
will constitute a giant fighting mec-
anism which would be a power In
any nations hands, but 1t is not like
~ to be received kindly by the French
people who must support It nor the
French soldiery who must tramp and
camp with 1t.
Militarism lies upon Frances back
like a calling pack saddle. There are
629.500 men who are serving their en-
ton must support them in uniformed
idleness. The nation is looking TO
economy. and the army is murmuring
all sorts Of things socialfstic. French
armies have always been famous for
their fidelity and patriotism. but there
Is a growth Of discomfort in the pres.
ent force that Is alarming the govern
ment.
England is only across the channel
and GERMANY. bristling with steel,
hangs upon the border. In Europe
diplomacy has to be an art Of niceties
and every hour is a crisis. No one
knows when all the men a nation can
turn Out will be needed nor when all
the fervor and patriotism OF a people
Will be called upon to withstand a
shock. France looks to her disgrunt-
led army and is full OF apprehension.
She must have troops who are avail
able. and troops who are not touched
with the disintegrating malady of dis
content. and in sheer desperation the
government now looks to the colonies.
There is nothing the black mar would
rather do thar fight. He wants to see
actual service and hard service just
for h sport hat Is In 1t. and he has
no thought Of the right or wrong OF
his position. the injustice Of compul.
sorry service or the taxes that his sup
port is imposing upon the workers OF
France.
The enlistments have been begun in
Algiers, French Guiana and the west
coast Of Africa. There will be no DIFF.
nculty In raising the proposed force
Tor in all these provinces the military
career is regarded as the epitome OF
honor. and the natives are pouring in.
to the ranks in the hope that they will
be used in active service.
At the head Of the scheme are
Colonel Mangin and NJ. Messimy. Of
course. Germany will be rightfull,
suspicious of the new force, and will
certainly regard II as a new menace
n a dangerous weapon In the hand
OF her perennially antagonistic neigh.
Dor. II France maintains a standine
army Of 100000 blacks at home and
abroad which can be assembled and
transported to any point in a week OF
more 1t will certainly be a great tenn.
tation to German to recruit a simila,
dusky force in her African possessions
even though the same element of radi
cal discomfort IL not so apparent in thu
German army. and therefore does no
anord the same excuse for such 4
move.
Germany at the present time ha,
about 10000 fewer men in actual serv
Ice than France. and the addition o.
100000 fighting blacks to the Frenct
roll call will increase this difference.
so vastly tina Germany will b" forced
to act vigorously M quickly to main
tain her standing and prestige anon
the nations. 1t Is usually estimated
that while Germany has fewer men II
her standing army than France shi
could put almost three times as man.
men In the field in case Of actual war
fare.
In the enlistment OF this arm,
france seems 70 be taking no accoun
Of the types Of blacks which viii an
ter into II. The Moor ana the Berhe.
| o. Algiers are regarded as black me,