The institution of one-year Volunteers covers a much larger area than in the German Army. The main point looked to in a would-be one-year Volunteer is whether he can pay his 1,500 francs; the scientific and educational certificates required from such candidates in Germany are quite a secondary consideration in France. [Illustration: France. I. _Printed by G. Löwensohn, Fuerth Bavaria_ _Published by William Clowes & Sons, L^{d}, London._] France was not content with following the German model when she re-constituted her Army, but endeavoured to organise a system whereby an enormous number of trained soldiers should be turned out in the shortest possible time—something like the “levée en masse” which took place at the time of the French Revolution in 1793. This has been the aim of successive war ministers since 1871. It seems to have been brought to a conclusive issue by the law of the 15th July, 1889, which for severity and harshness appears to surpass any military sacrifices and duties ever demanded of any people. [Sidenote: +New Law.+] [Illustration: Hospital Orderly. Surgeon.] The main points of this law are as follows:— 1. Extension of liability to service from twenty to twenty-five years. 2. Change from five years’ to three years’ service with the Colours. 3. Abolition of all exemptions from service; even the only sons of widows, the eldest sons of orphans, and those whose brothers are already serving, must serve one year, and may be sent away at its conclusion; if, however, they have not given satisfaction in the ranks, they may be kept on for another two years. Candidates for the higher professions and theological students will have to serve for one year, the latter to serve as bearers during active service. 4. One-year Volunteers to be drawn exclusively from students of science, and from a few moderately high schools. 5. Payment of a military tax by all, and an extra one by those who are unfit for service, and by any who are conscribed for less than three years. [Illustration: Officer of Mountain Rifles.] A final point is given to this law by stating that no one is to accept a governmental or departmental office without having previously served for five years in either Army or Navy, and during two of these years to have served in the capacity of either officer or non-commissioned officer. [Sidenote: +War-Strength.+] The war-strength of France was, before the passing of this law, and according to French sources:— Army of the 1st Line 2,051,458 men. Army of the 2nd Line 2,057,196 ” --------- Total 4,108,654 ” It is almost impossible to calculate, from the new law, what her strength will be exactly, but it appears to be nearly equal to that of the three Powers together who form the Triple Alliance!