FRENCH PATRIOTISM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1731, 23 April 1913, Page 2

FRENCH PATRIOTISM.

The new Army Bill is the absorbing topic of conversation in Paris this week, J* the Paris correspondent of the Ijuccn of March 15. Everyone in every rank of the social scalo discusses it, anil })'ith fervour. The Sons of the Faubourg St. Germain nro mightily 111 favour of a* I? 1 ' t i l . l L ar " l y ' s A'" l, outlet, in spito ot tho difficulties thev have experienced during the reign of the rabid anticlericalS; Tho sons of the uiiddlo classes favour it, too, but with, in some cases, tho caution which marks and sometimes .mars that money-making and moneysaving class. The class below them are generally in favour of things military in L' ranee, and tho revival of the three years' _service does not discourage their enthusiasm us it does tho men of a class just above. I heard a tram conductor say, "tant mieux, why not do three years if wo do two?" As to tho schoolboys of all classes, thoy aro the most patriotic Frenchmen in existence, and a fi.no man of ten and a half swaggered homo to his mother this week with: "Eh, bien, inaman, wo are to do tho three jrears' service again. All tho better, and if necessary wc will do four!" "A real Frenchman," said his mother to mo with pride.

After tho popularity of the army wo may put - the popularity of M. Poiiicare. Hp has found tlio heart of the people, and ho knows how and where to pull the strings, for he is so Parisian, so daring, and yet so tactful, that ho carries nil before him. Mine. Poiiicare is playing her part with groat dignity and. restraint. Her receptions at the Elysee are marked by a decided noto of smartness, and there is something very distinguished in tlio way sho has received both compliments anil abuse, ono may ,say that sho has played the part of a great l.nly throughout, and one begins to understand why her husband has always found her a worthr and admirable companion in his splendid career. Sho works with him and for liim, and the two are quoted everywhere ns being a most devoted pair.