The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-06
MISCHIEF ABROAD
IN FRANCE ARMY
People Are Not Taking Kindly
to Compulsory Military
Service.
ORGANIZED OPPOSITION
Labor Unions Are Doing Utmost
to Spread Spirit of
Discomfort.
ny GEORGE DuFREsNE.

lSpeclai cable to The Times Dispatch.l
Paris August 5.-That a mischiev-
Gus spirit is abroad in the French
army. which might become serious
danger to the country in case of war,
is daily becoming more evident. and
is causing the government consider
able ENTHUSIASTICALLY at "a time
when the Morocco question has not
been finally settled
While there is probably no more
patriotic nation in the world than
the 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 mill
tary labor unions. which time and
again see their plans frustrated by
the troops. are taking advantage of
this TO further their own ends.
recent trial Of three labor lead
facts about the anti militarist pro-
pasanda which have caused a great
feeling of alarm among patriotic
citizens.
The men were arrested in connection
with the society known as Sou du
Soldat." This society sends pocket
money TO soldiers who are trade union
lists. Accompanying the money is
circular urging 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 tho men under arrest. declared that
the society was affiliated with the
bricklayer's union. which had about
1880 members. Every member paid
franc month. portion of this con-
tribution went to make UP the postal
orders of five and ten francs sent to
the soldiers. member of the union
who fulfilled the military service did
not receive more than ten francs a
year.
Asked who drew up the circulars
melting the soldiers TO disobedience.
Niau confessed that he himself in
dited the anti militarist letter sent
out in May.
1--WE appeal to the conscience OF
men," said Viau. for we cannot ad-
NIT that comrade should be ordered
to fire on his brother"
In answer to this circular many let
ters were received at the headquarters
of the Sou du Soldat." One of these
epistles ran:
Il have advised my comrades not to
march on any occasion. and to dis
OBEY the orders OF their officers II
they are asked to shoot"
Another letter was thus conceived.
Il will turn my toes IL am ordered
to march. You can count on me-"
NJ. Delcasse has not made any
startling alteration in tho Lapeyrere
navy law, under which sixteen battle
ships were to he laid down--two in
each year from 1910 to 1916 inclusive.
and one in 1917 and In 1919.
The first two--the Corbet and lean
Bart-are already we'll advanced. and
Will be launched during the autumn.
while orders have been placed for the
1911 ships. which have received the
names of France and Paris.
Up 10 and including 1914. NJ. Delcasse
proposes to adhere to the policy Of
his predecessor. but in 1915 1t is pro-
posed TO lay down four ships, two on
January and two on September l.
To counterbalance this there will be
no armored vessel laid down In 1916.
and the last two of the sixteen will
he commenced on January 1. 1917, thus
saving more than two years on the
original scheme.
1T remains to be seen whether the
project will he adopted. but the pro-