4 JANUARY 1868, Page 7

We have tried to explain elsewhere Marshal Niel's plan for

reorganizing the Army, which we believe to be based on this idea. France is to be garrisoned by exempt conscripts, formed into a Garde Mobile of 400,000 men, and the whole Army released for foreign work. We must add here that the Chamber has passed the retroactive clauses of the Bill, which place all the exempts of the last four conscriptions in the Garde. Consequently, that body may be placed under arms within a month of the passing of the Bill, and by April will be sufficiently instructed. All this looks like war, and Marshal Niel himself declares that permanent peace is soon certain, though it may be reached through war, for the nations can no longer sustain such colossal armaments. lie clearly thinks the crisis is drawing very near.