The Paris correspondent of the Times very properly calls attention
to the remarkable article—the first of a series— which Colonel Picquart has contributed to the Grande Revue for January. In the first instalment of these " Notes on the Military Situation" Colonel Picquart traces the history of the relations between France and Germany since the war of 1870-71, showing how mutual anxiety has developed a sort of race in which each nation endeavours always to maintain herself either by armaments or alliances in a military position equal to that of her probable adversaries. In this race, how- ever, France has now fallen behind, for she cannot muster any more men or obtain any more money, and will be obliged, if the present stress continues, to strengthen her situation solely by her alliances, whereas Germany, with her constantly increasing population, possesses a reservoir far from being exhausted. In the next article Colonel Picquart proposes to deal with the problem of whether the equilibrium between France and Germany cannot be secured by other than direct means,—i.e., by a system of alliances different from that now existing. The article serves to remind the world that Colonel Picquart, besides being one of the most disinterested, fearless, and honest of men, is a military critic and historian of quite exceptional ability, reminding one by his dispassionate temper and acute analysis of Captain Mahan. One wonders how much longer France can afford to allow him to sign himself "Lieutenant-Colonel en Reforme,"—i.e., on half-pay.
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