THE FRENCH MANOEUVRES OF 1891. 
83 
properly placed behind cover are at any time a difficult target, directly 
they opened fire with black powder their position was disclosed, now 
the only sign they give of their presence is a flash; for an attacking 
artillery to fire at such an indistinct mark, the difficulty is very con¬ 
siderable, but for Infantry, advancing to the attack, to aim with 
accuracy at such an indistinct target will be well nigh an impossibility. 
There will be nothing for them to see but flash succeeding flash, and less 
aim even than heretofore will be taken. Higher training on the part of 
the Infantry may overcome some of these difficulties, but will this be 
a possibility under short service, which has been shortened year after 
year till it has reached the absolute minimum of three years, and now 
threatens to become two. 
Smokeless powders altogether favour the defender, who, in no way 
disclosing his position, can distinctly see every movement made by the 
attacking force, and will, from the longest distances,, deliver a deadly 
fire at ranges already roughly obtained; both the Artillery and Infantry 
must suffer terribly as they change from position to position, the fire 
of the latter arm especially comparing unfavourably with that of the 
defence. The defenders need not for a moment feel afraid of running 
short of ammunition, while the attacking force will have every reason 
to dread such a calamity. These advantages were always on the side 
of the defence, but with a line of fire absolutely unhindered by smoke, 
they are doubled and trebled, and must largely counterbalance the 
moral gain which the excitement of moving, and the exhilirating 
effect of continually advancing, have heretofore given to the attack. 
One of the many practical operations carried out at these manoeuvres 
was the restoration of the line running from Vitry-le-Fran^ais to 
Bar-sur-Aube. A railway bridge, between the stations of Malthaux and 
Brienne, was supposed to Lave been destroyed by the enemy, and in 
order to keep open communications with the rear, it was considered of 
the utmost importance that the bridge should be at once restored. In 
order to make the work more difficult, the embankments leading to the 
bridge were supposed to have been destroyed by the enemy, and con¬ 
sequently it became necessary to make a new roadway. The work 
was entirely carried out by the Engineers. In time of war, considerable 
aid would have been given by the Infantry, but as General Saussier 
did not care to withdraw any of his men from the more instructive 
work of the manoeuvres, labourers were hired from Troyes and the 
neighbouring villages. The work was carried on at night by the aid 
of the electric light, and the bridge and ramps were completed and a 
train passed over within seven days from its being commenced. The 
work actually done comprised about 500 yards of a new embankment, 
and a bridge from 40 to 50 yards long. 
It would be absurd for any one not thoroughly experienced in staff 
duties to attempt to criticise the great machinery which moved this 
army, but a practical test of its efficiency, which was apparent to all, 
was the smooth manner in which everything worked. After a long 
day's manoeuvring, orders were necessarily late in being issued, it 
almost appeared as if purposely so, in order to keep the movements 
for the succeeding day as secret as possible ; when once issued, they 
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