The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-22

~ French soldier while with the
Y colors is set forth in volume
lust issued by the George H.
p,rau Company called The French
Army from Within" The author sub
scrNos himself simply "Ex Trooper" and
lets 10 20 at that without any attempt to
win fame.
From the age of 20 to that OF AZ. says
the author, every Frenchman physically
,ipable of military service is a soldier
Each commune complies yearly a list OF
rs Young men who have attained the
age OF 20 during the preceding twelve
months. All these young men are ex-
amined by the Conseil de revision can
tomato a revising body OF military and
civilian officials, by whom the men not
physically III are at once rejected and
men who may possibly attain to the
standard Of fitness required are put back
for examination after a sufficient inter-
val has elapsed TO admit OF their deyel-
oprent IN height, weight or other re-
quirement in which they are deficient
FIVE fee; and half an inch is the mini
mum standard of height. though men of
exceptional physical quality are passed
into the infantry below this height.
Registered at the age of 20. the
Breach citizen 10 called to the colors on
tho frst of october following his regis
tration. and passes from the active army
two years later on September 80 In old
days, when the period OF service in the
active army was for FIVE years, the
French army was an unpopular insti-
tuition. but the shortening OF service, to-
gether with the knowledge. possessed
by the nation az a whole. that the need
for every citizen soldier would eventu-
ally rise through the action OF Germany
have combined to render the army not
only an important item in national life
but popular one. There used to be
srousers and bad characters by the
score. but now they are rarely found.
The officers of the French army
receive their training at military schools
established in various parts of the re-
public, or else are recruited from among
non-commissioned officers. Not less than
one-third Of the total number OF French
officers rise TO commissions by the latter
meihod-Napoleon's remark about the
msrshal's baton in the private soldiers
knapsack still holds good in the French
army The principal training schools
are those of st. Cyr for infantry and
cavalry officers. the Ecole Polytechniaue
for artillery and engineer officers and
the musketry school at Chalons. The
schools OF ST. Matxent. Saumur. YER
sailles. and the gymnastic school at
Jo!nville-le-Pont are intended for the
training OF non-commissioned officers
selected FOR commissions.
The rate of pay for men in the FIRST
period Of service is very low, ranging
rom the equivalent OF halfpenny a
.,a.s =. A,,, -.
the army Is constituted provides for
the reenlistment of such men rs wish TO
max" career OF the army and on re-
enlistment the rate OF pay Is materially
Increased, while bounty is given on
reengagement, and at the conclusion OF
certain amount OF service reengased
men arc granted pensions. II IL only
re sonable that. with the adoption Of the
prc.ple of universal service, the rate
a. pay should be low voluntary reenlist-
m'nt, however. IS a different matter, SO
Tho republic rewards the men who re-
e-gase NJ the conclusion OF their frst
term. From among them are selected
practically all the non commissions
oiHcers. while, considering that all
necessaries az life are provided for them
IN addition 20 their pay even the rank
AMI f1ls are not badly off.
British soldiers. serving under n vol,
an,ary system, have little to say for the
eonscript system, but a glance round
Paris in time Of peace might persuade
'hom that there are various compensa-
lions and advantages in a conscript
army which they. serving voluntarily,
do not enjoy. II Is a surprise TO one
who has served IN the British army TO
see the French Republican Guards sta =
toned on the grand staircase Of the
Opera and also at all entrances and
exits Of this famous building. In prao-
tioally every theatrical establishment
in Paris the guards may be seen on this
Cass OF duty. for which they get spe-
Cally paid. There are military attend
ants al the Folies Bereeres. at the Nou-
v-au Cirque at the Moulin Rouge and
even ~ such an irresponsible home OF
laughter as the Raj Tabarin. As the
darky said Of Daniel IN the lions DEN
these mem get a free show.
Hut 4 Is not only when on duty that
the French soi%Sr is TO be seen In such
places OF amusement as these, for the
noH-commlssioned officer to be found in
company with mis- wife or fiancee in
every class Of seat. II is no uncommon
thing 70 find among the most attentive
listeners at the Opera a number OF
soldiers, in full uniform, among the
fashionable people In the stalls. The
republican rule, which makes of every
man a citizen and an equal OF all the
yrst. leads to what, In such a country as
England, would be, considered curious