In the depots in which the new soldiers are being trained the services of many officers and non-commissioned officers discharged as convalescents after being wounded are utilized in order to give a practical turn to the instruction.  There are still many voluntary enlistments, and with all these resources of men the army can count upon reinforcements soon to be available which will considerably augment its offensive power.

The quality of the troops has improved perceptibly since the beginning of the war.  The men have become hardened and used to war, and their health—­largely owing to the excellence of the commissariat—­is extremely satisfactory.  In spite of the severity of the Winter hardly any cases of disease of the respiratory organs have occurred, and the sanitary returns of the army show an appreciable improvement on those of the preceding Winter.

With regard to the reserves, experience has verified the dictum of the Serbian and Bulgarian Generals in the war of 1913, namely, that “two months in the field are necessary in order to get at the full value of reserves.”  Our infantry is now accustomed to the rapid and thorough “organization” of the defensive.  In August it neither liked nor had the habit of using the spade.  Today those who see our trenches are astounded.  They are veritable improvised fortresses, proof against the 77-millimeter gun and often against artillery of higher calibre.  During the last five months not a single encounter can be cited in which our infantry did not have the advantage over the German infantry.  All the enemy’s attacks have been repulsed, except to the north of Soissons, where their success was due to the flooded state of the Aisne and the carrying away of our bridges.  Our attacks, on the other hand, have yielded important results, and have been carried out with plenty of spirit, although without the imprudence which cost us such heavy losses in August.

The cavalry has made remarkable progress.  Throughout October this branch was called on to eke out the inadequate numbers of the infantry, and showed itself perfectly adapted to the necessities of fighting on foot.  Several regiments of cavalry have been used as infantry, and, armed with rifles, have rendered the most valuable services.

The artillery has displayed a superiority in the use of its admirable material, which is recognized by the Germans themselves.

LONDON, March 27, (Correspondence of The Associated Press.)—­Further installments of the French official review of the condition of the French Army after six months of war have been obtained by The Associated Press.  The sixth installment deals with material, artillery, transport, and supplies, and the seventh takes up the situation of the German Army and makes an analysis of the German forces in the field and available for service.

The first chapter of the seventh installment, headed “The German Effort,” opens with a statement as to the German forces at the beginning of the campaign.  The writer says: