We have no intention of indicating in this treatise the nature of all the transformations made during the course of the war. Not only are the statistics unavailable but the secret nature of their character does not permit of their being divulged even if it were possible to compile them.
For the present we must be content with generalities from which, however, the reader will be able to glean a few ideas of the trans formations which have taken place since mobili zation was decreed.
Recruiting, General mobi lization order decreed 1 Aug. 1914 quite realised the objects aimed at by legislation. But the necessity of creating new units to meet fresh demands and keep up to standard at the same time the mobilized troops raised a problem, a few weeks after mobilization, presenting many difficulties which naturally increased with the duration of hostilities. The government was able to obtain some of its needs by calling to the colors young men fit for service who had not yet attained their 20th year. Thus the classes 1915, 1916 and 1917 were successively called up by decrees of 2 Sept. 1914, 3 Dec. 1914 and 6 April 1915 respectively. Other dispositions facilitated voluntary enlistments. The Alsace-Lorrains were admitted to the French army (law of 5 Aug. 1914). Enlist ments for the duration of the war were allowed to be contracted from the age of 17 (15 Aug. 1914). A larger use was made of the native colonial troops. Long service native troops from North Africa in receipt of a pension were recalled. (Decree of 26 Jan. 1915). The num ber of battalions of Senegalese 'sharpshooters was increased. West Indian troops were called to service in France (April 1915). Enlistments for the duration of the war were open to natives of the North African colonies and pro tectorates.
The army is not, of course, made up entirely of combatants. Manifold are the tasks re quired to be performed at the rear on the lines of communication, as well as in the interior of the country for the proper administration of the army and to satisfy its ever-growing needs. As far as possible only those men un fitted to serve as combatants are employed in these services. This matter was covered, moreover, by a law fixing the conditions for auxiliary service. It should further be noted that successive laws have been the means of outs many men in the auxiliary serv ice and sending them on active service. Fur thermore, in the actual zone of the army and close to the front line, trench warfare makes it possible to employ men in poor physical con dition for various fatigue work. Thus there is an army of workers just behind the lines, the men fit for active service are replaced by those less fit and the latter, wherever possible, by women specially recruited for this purpose. It was in order to keep this army of workers up to strength that a decree of 27 July 1915 was issued by the terms of which enlistments could be contracted by men liberated from all military obligations, even those unfit for active service but desirous of placing their particular and professional capabilities at the disposal of the military authorities for work in offices, factories, store depots, hospitals, etc.
As early as September 1914 the government took steps to have men in the auxiliary service medically re-examined with a view to their eventual transfer to the active army. By law of 17 Aug. 1915, called the aDalbiez Law* after its author, Deputy Dalbiez, the military situ ation and fitness of each man was minutely in vestigated with the idea of outs fit men at the rear serving in munition factories, driving automobiles, etc., and sending them to the front. This law was still further reinforced by the gMourier Laws providing for a better utilization of the mobilized forces, regulating the age limit, family situation and fitness of officers and men for obligatory service in the zone of the armies. Furthermore, the Minister of War drew up schedules covering the em ployment of civilians in the manifold services of the interior and replaced mobilized men by i at regular scales of pay. It was, 'illy to be expected that the economical the country must necessarily suffer by fling up in mass of all able-bodied men iturtion naturally aggravating with the gation of hostilities. The problem was urther complicated by the necessity of rig the maximum output of war material f carrying out those works indispensable e proper upkeep of the country and the Bing of the population. This was pro for, at first, by mobilizing on the spot • specialists indispensable for the proper ig of factories and workshops. Steps taken to regulate throughout the country hus mobilized and check any abuses. A /vas .made on foreign labor recruited 4st neutrals or allies. Natives from a and Asia were brought to France to as dockers, laborers, etc. A system ave from the army was inaugurated ing farmers to return to their homes for Is of 20 days renewable during the year ? as military exigencies permitted. In the undings of the barracks and in the zone re armies, troops assisted in agricultural , gangs of men being placed temporarily le disposal of the departmental prefects. ly, special arrangements were made so that in the auxiliary service were employed, as as possible, near their domicile and left : to pursue their usual occupations outside trvice hours with the idea of their panic rig in the economical life of the country. ommand, Central ral mobilization order was immediately wed by a ministerial decree (2 Aug. 1914) g the boundaries of the army zone. From time onward all the territory comprised uch zone was administered by the corn der-in-chief of the North Eastern Armies, e the Minister of War was in supreme ge of the interior zone. The general staff, ded into two bodies, constituted the general )quarters. The mobilized army corps were sped together to constitute armies, which :r are afterward formed into groups of ies. In the interior, the military ider of the territory remained constituted n peace time. However, the first and sec regions were grouped into one.