France Seeks Japanese Military Efficiency
"Good as the Japanese," is the latest standard of military efficiency. And this comes from France, the once military leader of the world. Just after the recent near-collision of France and Germany over Moroccan affairs, which was patched up by "the powers" at the Algeciras Conference, France began to brush up her military situation and put things in better order for whatever might suddenly happen again. So it is said that the regular year's "maneuvers" have been as near as possible to real war. "The problems solved have been those that would actually confront fighting forces upon the actual field of battle." For the last few years, it is said, "the maneuvers have been more like play," but this year they have been conducted with a view to putting the army in good fighting trim. Officers and men entered upon the work with real enthusiasm of expectancy. And now that the exercises are over, it is claimed that in point of excellence and endurance the French soldier "is not excelled by even the Japanese." So it appears that the Japanese have suddenly arisen to an eminence where they are not only to be reckoned with, but to be emulated, by "the powers that be." But all this is far from auguring a time of peace in the world.