The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-30
rnnce Is Building
 BigD DefensiUe Works
Continued from Page l,

f condition of the troops and the training of youth by the formation of corps of IS 900 gymnastic and drill instructions.
 10. Formation of huge reserves of war stocks, including six months supply for fuel oil for the navy and research to discover domestic sub- stitutes for gasoline.
 France Let Things Go
 Up 10 1883, or the advent of Hitler, France was conceded to have the most powerful military machine in the world, but because of the finan- cial stringency, its efficiency and strength was allowed to decline, eS- pecially in the air force. Planes were allowed to become obsolete, while other powers, notably Ger many, Italy and Russia were build ing.
 France now is engaged in an ef- ford to regain her former pre-emi- hence in western Europe. Her mili- tary situation is conditioned by the fact that Germany has half again as large a population, with mili- tarization unhindered by parliament tary checks and almost unfettered control of industries.
 Moreover, France, with birth rate lower than Germany's and con- stantly falling, now faces the so- called "lean years" due to subnormal births during the war. The "lean years" result in the diminunition cf the annual contingent of conscripts, which hitherto has averaged 220, 1000 and henceforth until 1940 will aver age only 10000.
 Total SsanGIng Army
 The total standing army at pres ent is 654,000, of whom 2l3,000 are overseas, but France possesses 3 momentary advantage over Ger many with more than 6,000,0OO trained reserves. On the other hand, France has failed to develop the pre-military training of boys and the big scale undertaken by Italy and Germany.
 Special attention is being paid to recognizing the army on a me- ctanical basis, extending motoriza- . ton and increasing the present 25 tank battalions.
 About half the artillery is already motorized and additional infantry regiments are being put on wheels.
 The air force is ill the process of complete renovation. Air minister Pierre Cot told the chamber of depu- ties last month:
 Has Good Air Force
 "In six months we have increased the number of airplanes available by 37 percent, equipment by 40 per cent, munitions by 50 and arma. ments by 70. Only one air force is superior to ours n Soviet Rus sia'S."
 Cot furthermore said the program is aimed at 1,50O new planes, which will increase the actual size of the air fleet 50 per cent but double Its efficiency and strength. Acquisition of new types of bombers and bomb- ing capacity will be doubled this spring, quadrupled by the end of the year and quintupled by 1859"
 Because of the rapid shifting of replacements and secrecy it is diffi- cult to guage the present first line air strength but the consesus Of ob- servers is upwards of 1,500, indicat- in ga total number of between 4,00O and 5000, of which many are obso- lete. t@e-n
 Aerial Mmine Layer
 The new developments feature an ultra-fast combination of bomber and fighter. Perhaps the most novel factor, about which little informa- ton is permitted to escape is the aerial mine layer.
 A plane flying high above the danger of anti-aircraft fire carries a powerful mine. When near a vital bridge or railway or military con- centration, the plane lowers the mine, attached to a cable perhaps a mile or two long. It is released when over the strategic point.
 The air force personnel IS being increased by 1000 officers and 10,- 900 men. Expenditures on the force total nearly one-fifth of the whole defense budget.