FRANCE'S READINESS FOR WAR.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3891, 9 January 1884, Page 4

FRANCE'S READINESS FOR WAR.

A pamphlet thus entitled appeared in Berlin towards the end of September. It is translated into French and Italian. _ The author is a Prussian officer. His opinions claim to bo founded on careful study of French aflairs, and personal observations mado at the last French autumn manceuvres. Tho contents of the pamphlet are briefly as follows:—Numerically, the French army is decidedly superior to tho German—it has 199,000 mon and 194 guns more. But numbers are not everything in this question. On tho German side must bo reckoned the greater uniformity of training, Avhich Franco cannot rival, because of her system of dividing tho recruits into two portions, ono of which serves -10 months and tho other only eight or ten ; greater solidify of the cadres, Avhich are stronger in time of peace ;_ greater uniformity in tho augmentation of the number of men ; better quality, and keener attention of the subalterns ; strategically better railways, swifter power of concentration, and a greater number _of squadrons and of horses fit for service. Germany has 372 field squadrons and 93 reserve squadrons ; France 308 of the former and SI of the latter, including the African troops. In Germany a squadron has 1.30 horses; in Franco nominally 1.30, and really not more than 120. The French forts Avhich guard the road and railways near the frontier will, contrary to the original intention require tho defence of active troops. Tho French are warlike, but not military ; the Germans drink in the military spirit Avith their mother's milk. The French haA-c no permanent commaudor-iu-chicf. They are not steadfast in adversity, and do not willingly follow any leader avlio lias not bound victory to bis chariot Avhecls. Political societies exercise a disintegrating influcnco in the French army, both among officers aud men. In short, there tiro still many wctik points in that army as regards training, recruiting, and general administration which must bo remedied before it can be called ready for Avar.