The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-13
French Argue ReuFFn0menf, RebuiIdina
BY DUDLEY ANN HARMoN

UniteC Press Staff Correspondent
 Paris, Sept. lS--(UP) France, de- batting on election eve whether to build big army, has not yet adopt ca a program for reconversion.
 At the mor eIit the big question IS whether she will devote her slowly recovering industry to re- armament or reconstruction.
 sThe French reconversion prob- lem cannot be compared with Americas, because French indus try is operating a. only some 45 p cent of capacity. Some indus tries. such as the automobile, are running at only about l2 per cent or prewar output. Others, such as the electric industry have reached 50 per cent, textiles have attained only about 20 per cent.
 Figures UnreveaIed
 The War Ministry refuses to re- veal what per cent of Frances irl- dustry Is working for the army, but 1t is believed to be relatively small. After liberation Americans rushed in raw materials with which France could manufacture articles for the Allies, such as tires and clothing, The big Renault factory still de- votes its entire output to the mil- itary and Citroen and Michelin work part-time for the army,
 The only definite reconversion was Q recent announcement that there will no more requisitioning of cars or tires from civilians and that 70 per cent of the almost non- existent automobile manufacture will 90 to civilians, who received only 30 per cent during wartime.
 Some circles complain that the military "still acts as though there were a war on" They charge that the army goes on requisitloning hotels and still has high priority for gasoline and materials. The War Ministry maintains that after four years of chaos the army must build up its stocks.
 3O0,O00 Front.Llne Troops
 As front-line French troops num- Der only 300, 900 today, compared with Americas millions, the unemploy- naent problem resulted from de- mobilization is nowhere as great as In the United States. Also, fairly widespread unemployment has exist cd in France since liberation because of the shortage of fuel and mater ials.
 Consolidation is expected to be completed by the end of October. Meanwhile the government h s called up four new classes which will continue to serve. The War Minister. Andre Dlethelm. has an- nounced that he wants perman- ent postwa "cadre," or framework, of 9 divisions. into which could At an army of about @ million men to occupy Germany and. Austria.
 The question of big army for France is expected to be debated with great heat after an Assembly Is formed following general elec- tions-the first since before the war -in October. The Assembly will de- eide on the size and form of Frances new army. Former Premier Edouard Herriot heads one school of thought which says 1t is ridiculous for France to try to compete with Rus sia of America in maintaining Q large army. Instead, this group be- lieves, France should depend on friendly alliances. The question is expected to cause some of the live Hest debates in the forthcoming aS- Sembly.
 France is expected to continue her prewar system of obligatory military training, Under this sys- tenn, with its small regular staff of officers and non.cons, she could mobilize e,oooOo0 men in 1889 on short notice. Whether the compul- sorry service will be reduced from two years to one will Do e matter of Assembly debate.
 For Home Consumption
 It is said that General de 0aulle. as soldier himself, favors 6 sizable army. But according to War Ministry official, the Generals fiery speeches about grandeur" are largely for home consumption.
 This grandeur will not be trans. lated into military terms" the spokesman said. General de Gaulle is merely trying to buck up the French"
 The French army has in the past been demobilized, not on the sys. tenn of points accrued for combat . duty, decorations, and length Of service, but on the principle of age and family obligations, Men with three children are automatically re- leased. The War Ministry has adopt" cd certain American Army principles lately, however, and now a soldier gets extra credit for demobiliZatIon If he has . year at the front.
 Frenchmen from the colonies and native soldiers are still not be. naAlilmaA kAaaStaA thApA ta