THE FRENCH CONSCRIPT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 91, 17 December 1913, Page 4

THE FRENCH CONSCRIPT.

A correspondent of the London “Times” not long ago was present at the physical examination of conscript; from an industrial suburb of Paris, ant what he says of them is interesting Under the new three-year-service lav. men are taken into the army a'i twenty. The batch he saw were alert and keen-looking, and seemed far from downcast at the prospect of three years’ service with the Army. Their physique was very good, a detailed ex animation being unnecessary in most eases, and although they lacked the military hearing which drill dlone can give, they appeared to him to be about as good material as a British soldier of two years’ service. Investigations by the medical department of the Army have led to the adoption of scientific methods of apportioning recruits to the various arms. In some cases the recruit’s trade settles the arm in which he is to serve, hut in others the men are judged by their build. Mon with fine trunks and shoulders, known as “upper men,” used to go to the Cavalry, but they have been found to be top-heavy on horse-back, and that they do better

in the Infantry, where, thanks to their long, broad backs, they are able to carry the heavy load of the foot-sol-dier, while their short legs make them quick marchers. Specially strong “upper men” are frosted to the Artillery. where great weights have to he lifted and carried. The “middle men”—those with fairly short trunks, well-proportioned legs, and large hips, go to the Cavalry. Types that give trouble are “round’ ’and the “flat” men. The “round” men are flabby. They can undergo a great deal of exertion at first, but they try to make up for physical strain by over-eating, and 1 as soon as illness makes its appearance in the regiment they go under. The “flat” man is flat of foot, dull of feature, and mediocre in general physique. Both these types are sent to the auxiliary services. In spite of the extension of the time of service, all appeared anxious to serve. Frenchmen are not shirkers in the matter of national dutv so far as defence is concerned.