France’s Colonial Army

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 12

France’s Colonial Army

ESTIMATE OF MOBILISATION Her colonial army helped France to win the Great War. But will the black man so readily help in tho next war? Tho peace strength of the French colonial army is about 200,000. North Africa (Tunis, Algeria and Morocco) supply about half tho soldiers; the other half comes from French Equatorial and West Africa, in addition to smaller forces stationed in Indo-China and Madagascar. French West Africa has 14,000,000 inhabitants, who, if the need arose, would be able to raise an army of 000,000. This vast territory is inhabited by a variety of raees: Moors in the north and west, Senegalese on the south-west coast, Tuaregs in the desert between Timbuktu and Bilma, and negroes in most other parts. All these races have sub-varieties. No doubt a conglomeration of races which have never had political unity or a common language. Over 15,000 French colonial officials and soldiers control this huge reservoir of manpower. They are trying to create order out of chaos. As in Europe, the army doctors examine negroes who have been called before the recruiting commissions in regard to suitability for military service. About 50 per cent, are found suitable. This percentage of unsuitables appears exceedingly high, but the figure is quite normal for Africa. Under-nourishment and unhygienic dwelling places, where human beings and animals live together, are the chief causes that render many negroes unfit. In addition, they are afflicted with the most terrible tropical diseases. Leprosy, elephantiasis, blackwater fever and venereal diseases are very prevalent. High Birth Rate However, tho birth rate is so high that 200,000 negroes appear every year before tho recuiting commissions. Iu addition, there are those thousands who, though called, failed to appear. They flee rather than face a commission. It is very easy to disappear in Africa. During the Great War, tho negroes of French West Africa readily answered the call of their French fatherland. But after the armistice, when victory had been achieved, it was not easy to make these simple people understand why it was necessary to perpetuate a system which they regarded as evil. So no wonder that, since tho introduction of compulsory military service, revolts broke out here and there. Scenes reminiscent of the days when slave dealers visited negro villages occurred when recruiting commissions appeared. Tho Governor of British Nigeria has stated in an official report that there are 2,000,000 negro refugees in the colony who have fled there rather than serve in the French colonial army. About half a million negro refugees are on tho Ivory and Gold Coasts. However, every man suitable for military service is not conscripted into the army. It seems that, owing to financial reasons, not more than 30,000 men can bo absorbed yearly. The remainder is at the disposal of the district authorities for purposes of “colonial and welfare work” —a highsounding name which disguises a modern method of slavery. In fact, negroes employed in such work, which is definitely not voluntary, receive a wage of one franc 30 centimes (about 3d) per day. 'xu .e Recruiting The black troops for tho French Army are conscripted in annual campaigns from various tribes in French West Africa. Natives are not insensible to the combined attraction of a smart uniform, good food, and pay. The day on which the commission is due to arrivo finds all the candidates seated on the bare earth of the village cornpouud, where they wait to undergo the various rites that accompany enlistment; medical examination, registration of details of age and family, etc. The women and children are also present, watching the proceedings. It is considered a great honour to have a soldier in the family. Before ho leaves his village the recruit is allowed ouc last interview with his bride. He, resplendent in his smart uniform, and she, dressed in a grass skirt. “Serve your country well, don’t for-

get me, and return in good health,” sho says. To which he replies: “Be as good to my relations as if I were still with you! ” After his two years’ service—during which he has amassed what is in native eyes a small fortune —ho will return to his village. Even if his bride, tempted by circumstances or by her family, has taken another man, lrc is able to buy her back. For an ex-soldier has risen in the social scale, and is always able to get the woman of his heart.

Crowded Hamilton School Serious overcrowding, which has been experienced for some time at the Hamilton Technical High School, has reached a stage where it has been necessary to usrc one end of a corridor as a classroom. Seating accommodation in nearly all the rooms is taxed, and tre special rooms for cookery and typing are used for ordinary classes. A bicycle room in the basement has had to be converted into a wiring work