FRENCH ARMY

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9003, 27 March 1915, Page 7

FRENCH ARMY

EVERY UNIT AT WAR STRENGTH TWO AND A HALF MILLION MEN AT THE FRONT. ir Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrteni PARIS, March 25. The French war review continues;— “The French Army has been rejuvenated on a large scale by the promotion of young commanders. The average age of general officers has been lowered ten years. Old generals who wore at the head ot large commands in August have been gradually eliminated; some owing to the physical strain the war imposes, others by appointments to territorial commands. “Each regiment now has forty-eight officers and noncoms. Every unit is at war strength, the companies in many regiments totalling 250 men. “France has two and a half million men at the front and one and a quarter million in the depots ready to repair wastage, apart from half a million of the 1915 class. “The army is war-hardened, and its health is excellent, and it has learned to use the spade. The trenches are now proof against the 77 millimetre guns, and often against the' larger guns." ZEPPELIN AIR-RAID SIGNALLING CYCLISTS ARRESTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright PARIS, March-25. Three cyclists were arrested between Dunkirk and Calais while signalling for the guidance of Zeppelins during the last raid on Calais. CARRIER PIGEONS AND LANTERNS USED. LONDON, March 25. At Calais cyclists were seen cycling beneath a Zeppelin and waving lanterns. Evidence is accumulating that most of the Zeppelin aeroplane raids have been accompanied by similar efforts on the part of German-paid cyclists and motorists, who sometimes have carrier pigeons. WOMEN WORKERS TRAINING FOR AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS. "Times’' and Sydney "Sun” Services LONDON, March 25. The Labour Exchange has offered a, large farm on which to train women workers. The women of Scotland have largely responded to the Board of Trade appeal to women to replace the men and release them for active service. It is anticipated that work will be found for a thousand women in the engineering and armament factories on the Clyde. Several firms have already experimented with women in the manufacture of shells and. explosives, and found that they show remarkable aptitude for the work. The Glasgow municipal authorities propose that women shall be employed as tramway conductors on the same terms as men. EMDEN’S MEN PROVISIONS OBTAINED AT PADANG. Telegraph—Press Aseociation—Copyright AMSTERDAM, March 26. The newspaper “Handelsblad” denies a Sydney report that the Ayesha (on which the landing party from the Emden escaped) raided Padang, Sumatra. They merely obtained provisions there, NOT NEARLY SO CONFIDENT ■WRITERS ON NAVAL AFFAIRS IN GERMAN PRESS. "Times" and Sydney “Sun" Services. LONDON, March 25. The naval correspondent of “The Times’’ says:—“A siignificant change is observed in the tone and temper of writers on naval affairs in the German press. They are not nearly so confident as formerly; there is a distinct atmosphere of misgiving over the latest efforts. It is likely that a hint has been given to write thus in answer to as to what the German fleet is doing or to prepare the people for the losses and consequences that must ensue if the fleet comes out and gets beaten.” ; AUSTRALIAN METALS COMPANY CONTROLLER APPOINTED. By Telegraph— Press Association — Copyright MELBOURNE, March 26. Under the Trading with the Enemy Act, the High Court has apointed a controller of the Australian Metals Company. Mr Justice Duffy, in endorsing the appointment, said he had decided that there was nothing against the company except that the majority of the shareholders happened to be Germans, and therefore the company was carrying on mainly for the benefit of enemy subjects. He did not suggest that the company had done, or would do, anything wrong. FREIGHTS FROM ENGLAND TO NEW ZEALAND RAISED SIMILARLY TO THOSE TO AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 25. Freights to New Zealand have been raised similarly to those to Australia except for fine measurement, tho freight for which is unchanged, at 83s 6d. All sub-classifications have been abolished both to Australia and New Zealand.- There will be only one rate for each class.