The Key West Citizen

Revamped French Army Sought To Stiffen Defense Of Borders

PARIS, Dec. 13.--Joseph Paul-Boncour, minister of war, wants to reorganize the French army so that it may be more mighty in defending the country's frontiers against attack.

He indicated that he is going to do this irrespective of the fate of the French plan of disarmament at the Geneva conference.

Emphasizes 'Defense'

"We French," said the minister, "wish to live in an atmosphere of national security and to feel at all times that our borders are proof against assault.

"We have no aggressive designs, but I have become convinced after conferences with high military officers, that we must fortify our defensive strength." And, he added emphatically, "I want to emphasize the word 'defensive'."

M. Paul-Boncour already has convoked several sessions of the superior council of war to study the reorganization plans.

Man Power Decreasing

He is thinking too of 1935 when France will have fewer young men to call to the ranks. In that year the boys born during the world war are due to perform their military service of one year. The full effect of the great war upon the birth rate of France will be in evidence when that call comes.

The war minister is convinced that he can reorganize the army without increasing either the number of soldiers or the cost of maintaining the big military machine.

"In fact," he said, "we may produce an organization essentially defensive with fewer soldiers and at less cost.

"What I am aiming at is a covering army which would assure the inviolability of our national borders. A short-term army furnished with automatic weapons of a power unknown in the great war would be immensely-powerful in protecting France against attack."

Beyond emphasizing the significance of automatic quick-firing weapons the minister said he was not yet in a position to reveal the scheme of organization. But he went as far as this:

"I believe in the possibility of defending our country by mobilizing our national army in its entirety.

"This system implies, however, a thorough instruction both of conscripts and reservists.

"It means minute attention to the problem of mobilization because necessarily the period of mobilization will be longer under a system of short term conscript service."
Would Strengthen Military Machine

Joseph Paul-Boncour, French minister of war, is working on plans to increase the boundary defense effectiveness of France's armies. This photograph was taken as he watched recent field maneuvers in which "poilus" of the type shown, marching took part.