It is to be observed that the new Army Bill
makes all French- men iu theory liable to serve, and all are to be drilled in some fashion for six months, but only one-fourth are actually to serve, and this fourth is to be selected, as at present, by ballot. No ex- emptions by payment are to be allowed, and as a principle no sub- stitutes, though it is supposed this may gr idually be modified. As the conscripts serve five years as regulars and five years as reserves, it is calculated that the French Army will ultimately consist of 450,000 regulars, supported by 750,000 reserves ; but for imme- diate purposes the numbers must be much smaller, or a much larger conscription must be levied to begin with. As we under- stand tee figures, it will be two years before the Government dis- pose of 600,000 thoroughly trained men, and they could hardly declare war with less.
Previous page
