THE FRANC-TIREUR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 99, 17 August 1914, Page 4

THE FRANC-TIREUR.

Already Germany lias threatened to punish inexorably—and that means shoot on the spot—any Francs-tireurs captured. In the campaign of 18701871 the Prussians did the same thing, for the Francs-tireurs proved themselves a terrible force. One correspondent points out that they really are "freoshooters," or irregular troops. Originally they, were rifle i clubs or unofficial military,,societies and prior to 1870 they were very popular. Many !of, them .have characters which could ■not be.examined.too; closely, but their: ■patriotism, is undoubted. .They wore

:no uniforms, elected their l own officers and insisted on procuring the very best rifles. When war broke out with Prussia these expert riflemen worked in small bands, and bhey levied toll upon the invading armies. They blew up culverts on the. German lines of. communication, cut off small reconnoitring parties, rushed small posts, and even the Germans admitted that these, intrepid civilians paralysed large detachments of, the invading forces. ~ Their most daring success was,when they ; blew up tbe Moselle railway hridge at Fontenay, but oftentimes ..they fought valiantly. Active bands of francstireurs hung about the. flanks and rear of the German armies, and any of them that fell into the hands of the enemy were, as a rule, very promptly shot. jO. ....