THE FRENCH ARMY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 55, 5 March 1918, Page 2

THE FRENCH ARMY.

READY FOR- THE GERMANS.

The recent report by (Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters of the readiness of the French Army to meet the coming offensive, wherever it may fall, and the unconquerable spirit of the men themselves, is comforting news. It is true that the drain upon the manpower of France is becoming increasing ly heavy, so much so that the despatch of French reinforcements to Italy made it necessary to call to the colours men, of fifty. Further than that, on January 15th last, a measure came into force by_ which .workmen mobilised for munitions work, belonging to the 1914 class—that is, 23 and '24 years of age—and younger, who had been, mobilised for munition work, were withdrawn from the workshops and placed at the disposal of the Oommander-in T Chief. But as long as France has the power to make sacrifices she will make them.

"I found the French Army," said a prominent Canadian officer who recently returned to Canada after spending several months at the front, ' 'not only very far from being exhausted, but confident and buoyant and full of 'pep.' " (Anglice "ginger.") The watchword of every officer and soldier in the Army was, 'On les aura"—"we shall get them." It was absolute nonsense to believe that the French Army was tired out or incapable of further striking power. It had been; on the offensive for 15 months, and had never in that time failed to reach a single objective it set out to reach, and never permanently lost a foot of ground once taken. The new methods of attack were irresistible, and made for a saving of effectives out of all proportion to the gains.

GERMAN WEAPONS OUTCLASSED As to weapons, technique, and stategy, the Germans had no advantage over their French and British opponents. "We hear of the terrible gases used by juhem,'" continued the officer, "but the' most abominable gas they have smells like eau-de-Col&gne compared to some of the heavier-than-air stuff blown into their dugouts By the Franco-British, forces. The Allies have heavier and more deadly artillery, trench mortars, bombs, and aerial tor pedoes; also a rifle with practically a flat trajectory—nothing like it has ever been seen before. The efficiency of the Army Medical Corps has never been equalled by the Germans. "Taking all these things into consideration, ' he declared, "not to mention tanks, tricks, and other teasers, by comparison the Gercnan war machine of to-day looks like a back number." This sounds, almost too good to be true; in any case, no good ever came of under-estimating the enemy's strength or capacity for attack. But that is a lesson which wrought to have learned by this time. . And if, as we believe is the case, the Allies are now better prepared to meet ..the German offensive than ever before, then confidence that they are going to win is an excellent help, and a, phrase'"is sometimes a most heartening thing. '"Oil les aura" may prove as potent in adding fire and vigour to the French attack cis "lis ne passeront pas" was in stiffening their defence at Verdun. Let us hope that it will be as well justified by the event as was that historic vow.