CONSCRIPTION is the system whereby the French—since the year 1795—and some other foreign armies a/o recruited. It differs essentially from the English system in being compulsory, and, taken for all in all, as a disturbance of the system of employ ment in all grades of society, is probably the most expensive means of recruitment yet devised (see Burrisit ARMY). INery Frenchman may be called to enter the army at the age of 20; but those who choose to enlist, as early as 18. He cannot again be called upon to serve. The term is for 5 years in the regular army, 4 in the army reserve, 5 years in the territorial army (militia), and 6 in the territorial reserve. This brings the con script to 40 years of age, when his liability to service ceases. Ths law of 1872, reorgan izing the French army, forbids the providing of substitutes by conscripts. An account is kept of the number of youths in France who reach the age of 20 in each year (about 280,000). All those are exempt from conscription who are under 5 ft. 2 in. in height;
or have any natural infirmities unfitting them for active service; or are the eldest of a family of orphans; or are the only sons of widows, or of disabled fathers, or of fathers above 70 years of age; or are intended for the church; or are pupils at certain colleges. Moreover, if two brothers be drawn as conscripts, and the younger is efficient, the elder Is declared exempt; and if of two only brothers one is- already in the army, or has retired through wounds or infirmity, the other is exempt. Culprits and felons are not allowed to enlist. The law of 1872 making military service obliga tory on all Frenchmen (save in theabove cases) has assimilated the French army system to that enforced in Prussia.since 1813.