The New York herald., 1920-01-28
Frances Army Changes.

reorganization of the French army
was actually in progress-under the three
wear service law of August, 1913-when
the worlds war broke out Everything
from recruiting to ornaments, was IN the
process of overnauling, with the result
that it had to be completed while the
nation was face to face with the enemy
that is to say, under fire. On the other
side was a foe who could say with as
much truth about his own condition as
there was ralsehood in the statement of
Napoleon ILLS Minister in 1870. that
everything was ready down to the last
button on the last gaaesR
This confusion was increased further
by another fact. Acting on the theory
that the struggle would be a short, sharp
and almost Immediately decisive one, the
French threw most Of their best soldiers
into the front line, and lost them as COM
pletely as the British lost the "Contemp-
tibles' who made up at the time the
flower Of the small professional army at
their command.
That the Republic has no intention of
ton of false security is now indicated
by the action of the new Minister of War,
Andre Lefevre, who in the official de-
cree of January % has named Marshal
Petain acting commander in chief, and
associated with him on the reorganized
Supreme Council of War Marshals Foch
aud Joffre, and General Buat, the new
chief of the General Staff.
As these chiefs and the council on which
they are the most conspicuous figures
must be consulted by the Minister of
War on every question dealing with ma
tional defence, it is clear that the country
has outgrown the dread of military men
especially successful military men-which
prevailed for many years before the war.
France has no fear of one of her three
beloved marshals desiring to become a
man on horseback"
By the constitutional laws OF France
the army is under the nominal command
If the President, the Minister of War
being acting chief. BY the decree OF
June, 1913, it was provided that the Su-
perior Board of National Defence should
examine and report on all matters hav-
ing TO do with the cooperation of the
various ministries in time Of war. The
Superior War Council-consisting of the
Minister of War, the General Staff and
ten generals selected for high war com
Inands-was to study preparations for
belligerency.
Under the decree Of May, 1912, the
General Staff was divided into two com.
inrtees. one of which was to confine IT.
attention to the making of war plans
while the other was to handle routine
affairs Of the service. Two assistants OF
the rank of major general were provided
FOR the Chief of Staff of whom one was
90 remain at the Ministry Of War after
mobilization had been ordered, while the
other was to 20 on active service. BY
Che decree of February, 1914, the Under
Secretary of War was placed in charge
Of administrative matters.
The budget, accounts and the variou.
branches of the army we're put under the
Board of Control, while a Technical
Board. acting directly under the War
Minister. was made responsible for unity
Of direction and all technical questions
which might be placed before IT,
As in Great Britain, and afterward In
;he United States, many new offices had
20 be created in France in the course OF
the war. Thus the Under Secretary OF
state for Artillery and Munitions was
changed later into full Minister OF
Armament and War Equipment. An I'm.
der Secretary Of State for Food was ere.
ated who was replaced later by an Tn.
dor Secretary for General Administra.
ticn, with increased powers. The old
rsnIth service was replaced nv an I'm.
der Secretary Of Military Health. Finally.
six military inspection districts, each with
general at the head Of il, were estab-
Nshed to look after resources, and tech