Year: 1870

ITS 0RGANIZATI0N-WAR MEASURES-EFFRCTIYE


STRENGTH OF THE FRENCH FORCES.


After the condition of the French army in
the field and the temper OF the French people toward
Napoleon no questions can now be Of such Immediate
interest the organization Of the French army and the
military Of the people 10 whom Napoleon has
appealed How is his army now raisedi What resources
has he left How and how soon can be call them out
AS the ceares answer can give TO these questions OF
the hour present herewith statement OF the organi
zation Of the French army In time OF war; OF the mode
Of placing footing, and its effective strength


Previous 10 the great Revolution OF 1889, which
shook the foundation Of nearly all tmehonored and
long established institutions the standing armies OF
France formed by leyies but the extensive and
murderous which followed this eventful catas-
trophe having soon absorbed all that could be made
available to I'LL the ranks of the regiments, eyying
abandoned and conscripton resorted TO. This system
has since prevailed up TO the present day.


The present French army is most decidedly creation
OF Napolen III He understood best how to avail himself
of the opinions OF the most eminent military Of
his nation, and far from despsng underwriting
the ideas which had originated reforms In other
countries his quick perception could not fail to convince
him that, while the French army had formerly been
looked upon as superior TO all in armament elective
strength and adapabiy for great and lasting contests


formidable rival had sprung into existence during
last FIVE years, bidding fair TO distance all others in
modern military improvements and army organization.
Up to the year 1868, the active army vas
the only available force In France, and
while II furnished ali the troops necessary
for field operations in time OF war. 1t likewise
defended the frontier garrisoned the ortresses and dis
cplined recruits In this manner the numerical strength
OF the standing army while not at all too great In ITSELF
became curailed 10 a alarming degree, only
too clearly shown during the Italian campaign OF 1859
The OF the troops sent the Alps % battle
against Austria did not comprise than onefOurh
OF the standing army yet great the requisltion
for various purposes that the formation of imposing
division TO check the suspected movements of Prussia
and of the German Confederation only effected
through the greatest exertons and under
culties.


ARMY Is FORMED.


In order 10 provide against the OF such
contingency the formation OF the National Gare Mobile
the plan of the Prusan Landwehr decided upon
They have perform the entire military duty required In
the interior OF the country during war; 10 leave
whole OF the active army available for the battle field
The French military force Is in three distinct parts
active army the and the National Garde Mobile.


Every able-bodied adult is liable service tho
active unless he can procure substitute. The
recruits for the army varies according 90
were drawn each year. while for 1870 the Minister OF
War only demanded 10000 men. The number OF young
coming OF amounts To about S20OO0 annually, vf
whom 5000 may he considered lit for service. They
draw lots decide who has 10 enter the active army,
while the remainder assigned o service in the Ma
mated for active service deduct; Y,uN men
for the navy, 1900 men who either have Nrlun-
teered before getting of age or who are exempt ~
special law and 2oOtO men Who pro- urr 'hi'ltNI' h
Whilc NOT liable 90 enter the active ufniff htN' Z .
serve Ia the National Gagde Mobile ndAlaS 1'.. -