Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
FRANCE IN DEBATE
OF DEFENSE PLANS
Wisdom OF Substituting Mass
Levy for Semi Professional
Army Is Doubted.

ny Radio 10 The star.
PARIS, August 23.--After devoting
the past two or three years to re-
organizing the national defense by
abolishing the old semi-professional
army In favor Of plan Of mass levy
on the nationsin the event OF war, the
French are now beginning to wonder
whether they haven't made mistake
Under the present system the youth
Of the nation Is given one years milf
tary trainings contrasted with three
years in l914-wnile the frontier viii
be heavily defended by strong fortresses
linked by series Of small fortified
areas, where, IN the event of war, the
men in training. known as the cover
ing army, would be thrown to hold OF
attacks until the mass levy could be
completed.
The entrance Of Gen. Won Seeckt,
head of the German Reichswehr into
politics as Populist leader in Germany,
however, has drawn attention to the
military situation beyond the Rhine and
lively press argument developed
wherein Maginot, minister Of war: Paul
Boncour, Socialist deputy, who spon-
former chief Of the general stair, all
contributed. The facts seem to be that
France has an eastern and q south
eastern frontier $50 miles long, while
the covering army which would have
to defend 1t till mobilization Is COM
pleted, amounts to only 10000 and will
be considerably less. from 1888 to 1898
when the low birth rate during the war
years makes itself felt. None of these
troops will have had full years train
ing. while half win have had less than
six months.
German Army 100000 Strong.
Against this force, French experts
calculate that Germany could throw q
professional army amounting to 2O0, 900
men, with years Of training behind
them. In much shorter time than
French mobilization could be completed,
this force would be augmented to 400
600, which could easily burst through
the defense Of the half-trained cover
ing army and completely demoralize
mobilization.
Thus the French are evoking the
specter Of another struggle on their
own soil, and like q man In q haunted
house say, "I don't believe it, in the
next breath, whats that noise" until
worked up to O state of nervous
hysteria. That is what il happening
In France now. German election
speeches are reproduced and COM
second volume on German national
defense and his candidature for the
Reichstag are discussed in innumerable
articles.
Rupture Of Alignment Possible.
The election of Won Seeckt or a swing
Of the German elections toward the
Right, would have immediate repercus-
sions here, probably resulting In the fan
Of BRAND, already strongly attacked for
the evacuation Of the Rhineland, and,
not unlikely. an appeal to the country
by Tardieu In the hopes Of getting q
majority on the Right for himself, an
event which would be the signal for
furious activity On the Eastern frontier,
o more or less open preparing for war.
The present state Of the frontier
works are considered by military Lead
ers quite inadequate for the needs Of
defense. Immediately after the war it
was decided 70 do away with great
fortresses which lost prestige In 1914
and substitute therefor system Of light
defenses looking to immediate trench
warfare along the frontier.
FocIl's Suggestion Accepted.
When Paul Boncour introduced the
new scheme, however, 1t was seen there
would not be sufacient troops to man
these trenches immediately, so--largely
through the influence Of Fcch--large
furtresses were again considered.
Work on these are now under way,
but the problem Of O veteran corps Inn
nlediateiy available is unsolved, and
the press Of the Right Is advocating Che
creation OF professional army of i've
or six years service. ct least equal ia
numbers to the Reichswehr, raising the
prospect Of Europe once again becoming
On armed camp.
lcopyrisft, 1881