22 OCTOBER 1870, Page 2

The reports from the Army of Lyons are unfavourable. The

National Guard behaves well, but the troops have apparently lost all sense of discipline. They obey no orders, insult and even strike their officers, who, on the other hand, bred under a different system, have forgotten the Re- publican tradition of discipline, which inflicts death for "dis- obedience to a service order, but enforces equality off duty. It is quite possible that, if the second clause is respected, M. Gambetta's terrific measure may restore order as to the first. He has invested every superior, even the elected non-commissioned officers, with power to inflict death for insubordination, and in the

Army of the Loire death is inflicted. Unless, however, much time is given, the Army of Lyons can scarcely become formidable in the war. If it did, the German army shortly to be released from Metz would probably take that direction.