FRANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 19 February 1913, Page 5

FRANCE

STRENGTHENING TKE ARMY

TO MEET GERMAN ACTIVITY. {pKaas Association. —Goem/'iHi.. PARIS, Feb. 18. The Government's action in asking for J323.0C0.C00 is the sequel to 'Germany's raising tiie arniv ix--ac« strength to 850,000 already, tne l9i& standard giviiiir Germany 725.0G0 effectives as compared with 650.00(j in 1' ranee. Three million sterling will be spent immediately on ammunition and artillery and ±520,000.000 later in the buildinjr of for tresses, heavy artillery, and aviation. It' thj Government arsenals are insuifieient private contractors will be utilised. . The Government- is unanimous m the view that it is necessary to : nertea.se the army. As the. total population is insufficient, it- will eonsi-tier raising the term el service to 20 months or three years for all arms, or three years lor cavalry. Special inducements will be offered for nativ...'-o of French Africa. The Bourse is uneasy about the Government's military proposals, and also regarding the reported, summoning of tiie army for the annual training two months before the usual time.

A WAVE OF PATRIOTISM. (Reo. Feb. 19, 11.25 a.m.) The wave of patriotism is spreading. All the newspapers approve of the army increase. BIG-GUN FIRING RESUMED. WITH DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. (Rec. Feb. 19, 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 18. After a lengthy suspension big gunfiring in the navy has been resumed. * A gun exploded on the Danton at Toulon, three persons being killed. NEW PRESIDENT INSTALLED. (Rec. Feb. 19,' 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. IS. M. Poincare has been installed as President of France. (A telegram to the "Times" from Thionville early in January, states that the German military authorities were engaged in constructing on the heights of Horimont a- new fort which ,s destined to be one of the most powerful of defensive works around Metz. The future Fort Horimont will command the railway line from Metz to Thionville and also the Orne Valley Railway. The French frontier is only six miles distant, and the French industrial communities of .Toeuf, Auboue, and Homeeourt are easily within range of the guns of the new fort.)