The French Chamber has passed the new Army Bill by
386 to 170. Under this Bill, the years of service are reduced from five years to three ; but all exemptions are abolished, and the age of liability in extreme cases raised to fifty, thus increasing the number of available soldiers from two millions to three. The Government, however, will settle -the number to be called out according to the state of the Treasury, and it is argued that the numbers round the colours will not in practice be increased. Beyond certain figures, indeed, the numbers do not matter, for modern wars are short, and armies in the field cannot be swelled beyond the power of feeding or of moving them. As it is, a modern army on the battlefield consists practically of half-a-dozen armies miles apart from each other. Many experienced officers in France doubt whether Frenchmen can be fully trained in three years, and ask where non-commissioned officers are to be obtained; but the attraction of the short term is irresistible. It will involve, as the French will very shortly find out, the creation of a Colonial Army. No Treasury could bear such quick shiftings of masses of men across the seas and back.
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