GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 233, 23 June 1915, Page 7

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

—— "• ! WARNEFORD'S MONOPLANE. BERXJN GREATLY INTERESTED. ROME, June 22. In Berlin the topic fo absorbing interest is the construction of the monoplane with which Warneford destroyed the Zeppelin. Experts opine that it is highly efficient owing to its quickness in ascending. The construction facilitates observaton downwards. or on both sides. " . i - FRANCE'S SPLENDID ARMY. il MILLION MEN LED BY YOUNG CHIEFS. A French cfiicial statement issued through Reuter's Agency, contains some remarkable information as to the splendid condition of the French Army. Including all ranks, France now has mcfre* than 2,500,000 men at the front, and every unit is at war strength. In the depots there are a further 1,250,000 men. To these must be added the class of 1915 and men previously exempted for various • reasons, who number nearly 500,000. The quality of the tfroops has improved perceptibly since the war began. The men have become hardened and their health is extremely satisfactory. During the past fiv e months not a single encounter can be cited in which the Fjrench infantry didn't have the advantage over the Germans. The superiority of the French to the German artillery is recognised by the Germans themselves. Th e high command has been rejuvenated. All the old generals have been graudally eliminated, some as the result of the physical strain of the war, others by appointment to territorial commands. The result ha? been to lower the average age of general officers by ten years. To-day more than three-quarters of the officers commanding armies and corps are' less than 60 years of age. The brigade j commanders are usually under 50.1 There ar e at the front extremely few i general officers over 60, and these are men who are in full possession of thei£ physical and intellectual powers Ability proved on-the field of battle is now immediately recognised and utilised. Th 6 higher grades of the French Army are inspired by a remarkable unity In military theory and by solidarity of spirit. The cavalry and artillery still have an excess of officers. The losses have naturaßy been highest in the infantry, buf? in this arm 1 there & nothing like a want of officers. The Army is led by young, welltrained and daring chiefs,, and the lower commissioned ranks have acquired tho art. of war by experience.