Army Disaffection Frightens France.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 25, 1913:
Mutinies at Important Barracks Due to Campaign of General Confederation of Labor.
SUPPRESSION IS DEMANDED
But the Government Subsidizes It — Revolt in Every Barracks Predicted by M. Herve.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    PARIS, May 24.— A striking contribution to the impassioned discussion of the week's mutinies at important barracks is the following, which Georges Clemenceau wrote in his new daily paper, L'Homme Libre: "All Europe knows that we are on the defensive, and Germany cannot have any doubt on that score. Under the pretext of protecting herself against French aggression she continues to pile up armaments till the day which she judges suitable to finish with us. For one must be voluntarily blind not to see her madness for predominance, of which the explosion will shake the whole continent and involve her in a policy of extermination against France.
    "If the catastrophe be inevitable, we must prepare to meet it with all our strength. That is why I am disposed to support all the Government's defensive measures. Those who saw 1870 cannot allow the slightest loophole for a return to the events of those frightful days, of which the horror nowadays would be increased a hundredfold. If my destiny is to inflict me again with that nameless Calvary which still haunts me, I have at least resolved not to incur the slightest responsibility for anything that might weaken my country in her supreme struggle for existence."
    A deep impression has been caused by this grave statement, and all Paris is discussing it. That a statesman who has so often held office, and even the Premiership, should think fit to use such language is a convincing argument to many Deputies who have hitherto wavered as to the necessity that the country make the sacrifices which M. Barthou is asking by giving a third year to the army's service.
    It is felt that every effort should be made to combat the demoralizing influence of this week's serious barracks disturbances resulting from the Government's action in deciding to maintain for a third year with the colors the conscripts who in the ordinary way would have been liberated next October.
    Every one is wondering whether the Socialist, Gustave Hervé, who was recently converted from anti-militarism, is right in predicting a revolt in every barracks in France and wholesale desertions of soldiers to foreign countries next October.
    The question is, How far has the insidious propaganda of the General Confederation of Labor gone in undermining the patriotism of the troops ?
    Public opinion is seething with indignation at the freedom with which the Confederation is allowed to pursue its devastating policy of breeding disaffection in the army, and people are clamoring for the instant dissolution of the Confederation, which, although subsidized by the Government, is allowed to placard towns with flaring posters denouncing the three-year law and to distribute seditious circulars in barracks.
    The War Office inquiry has shown that the Toul mutiny was the direct result of a political plot. The Confederation was bitterly disappointed at the large majority by which the Chamber supported the Government's action decreeing a third year for men already under the colors, and immediately dispatched heavy bundles of circulars to important garrison towns, particularly in the neighborhood of the eastern frontier, calling on the men to rise and protest against the "odious slavery" inflicted on them, and promising, if repressive measures were employed by the Government that the proletariat would assist them. At the same time the Government is criticised for not acting with greater rapidity. It is contended that if as was possible, the War Ministry had severely punished the Toul demonstrators within twelve hours the riot of anti-militarism would not have raised its head at Belfort, Macon, and certain Paris garrisons.
    That repressive measures are clearly justified is the opinion almost everywhere. Even Deputies little disposed to support the three years' proposal readily agree that, once the army is allowed to act as its own judge of the actions of legislators, there will be the end of all discipline, and the joyous cry of Yvetot, one of the principal labor leaders, in a syndicalist organ this week. "France, your army is in the melting-pot," would quickly find justification.
    All the newspapers, with the exception of those closely allied to labor interests are profoundly dismayed at the turn events have taken, and display extreme touchiness over the rejoicings of the pan-German organs, but much greater irritation at the jubilant tone of the French revolutionary organs circulating among workingmen.
    It is urged by all except the extreme Socialist elements that the Chamber now rally around the Government and show the nation a Parliament determined to push forward the military proposals by energetic, unanimous action. These lines, it is held, would effectively counterbalance this week's barracks events.