The New York herald., 1868-03-01
Russinn Army ccruitnenfs-rhe Results
Numericnl md Educational.

war Omee In ST. Petersburg, ana the ilcSI
results of the movement, as reported by tue
officers engaged in the duty to the authorities,
are significant to degree Of coming war In
Europe, and quite novel in the military history
of the empire. 1t appears that the regimen
are in this instance being filed according to
a plan approaching to voluntary enlistment
conducted in o manner almost similar to that
observed in Great Britain, and not by an i'm
perious conscription ukase promulgated for
the occasion, as in years past, when the
Cars wished to put forth their strength in
battle; SO that it progresses in most salts
factory manner, members of every class Of
society and men Of every creed and nation
ality being brought forward in large numbers
to the standard.
Our advices from ST. Petersburg state that
ninety-two thousand one hundred and four re-
cruits were enrolled during the month Of
January. OF these twenty-eight thousand two
hundred and eighty-three were over twenty
and under twenty-five years of age, and thir-
teen thousand eight hundred and thirty one
between twenty-five and thirty years-facts
which, taken alone, set forth in very promi-
nent manner the vast war power Of the nation.
The morale of the recruits, judged by an edu-
cational percentage, as well as their social
status before joining the army, are still more
encouraging of progress, and afford con-
vincing reply in contradiction to the assertion
that the middle classes of Russia scarcely ever
60 forward to army life except under the COM
pulsion of the draft, or in seasons of severe
distress from pauperism, when forced to accept
the rations of the barracks in agreeable ex-
change for still shorter commons at home-in
fact, to become soldiers and run the chance
of being killed in battle in order to escape
death much moro certain from hunger, or its
consequent disease.
OF the gross number of Notwithstanding
ten thousand one hundred and ninety-six from
Poand-eight thousand eight hundred and
eighty, or very near ten per cent of the whole,
are able to read and write, most pleasing,
almost astonishing fact, and one which will
cause the Russian armies to compare favorably
in the future with the troops OF any of the other
great Powers of Europe. Indeed, we doubt not
but that in point of education these newly
made soldiers of the Gar will be found supe-
rior to those of Napoleon, equal to thosesof
Queen Victoria, and inferior only to the men
of the North German Confederation.
Classified according to previous callings in
life, the statistics set forth that six thousand
three hundred and fourteen were "citizens,"
forty-one thousand eight hundred and sixty
seven agricultural laborers and peasant pro-
prietors, thirty-eight thousand three hundred
and ninety peasants and cottiers of the crown
domains, nine hundred and eighty-seven "un-
recognized noblemen," and one hundred and
eighty-one Of the privileged classes" The
social status Of the men illustrated thus
affords an explanation of the high percentage
Of education prevailing among them. 1t
proves also that the solid worth of the country
will come forward in the ranks in support OF
the Crown-a condition almost unknown in
England, except in time of great emergency !;
for we question If the register at the Horse
Guards ever sets forth the designation "citi-
zen" or nobleman-recognized or unrecog-
nized-or even peasant of the royal forests"
after the name of private soldier.
Poles, Lithuanians, Germans, Jews, Estho-
means, Tartars, Circassans, Moldavians, Vol
tiacks, Russians proper, with men from Minor
Russia and White Russia, are counted in thou
sands and by hundreds under the head of "na-
tonality," while in the column marked "re-
ligious denomination" are members of the
Greek Church, Roman Catholics, Luther
ans, Mohammedans, Dissenters and Jews,
footed up with twenty-six heathens !" an
extraordinary medley of form Of creed, but
which, even as medley, shows forth the won
derful power of combination andconsolidation
which the Russian government possesses
This Russian military exhibit will attract
large amount Of attention at this particular
moment. The war Powers of Europe have
been for some time past playing q great game
of military bluff, each, with tho exception 6f
England, arming still more than the other; or,
In other words squaring off like the big school
boy, exclaiming, al can lick you with one
hand tied behind my back" Napoleon
appeared to have carried this system to its
most complete extcn. without actual action by
his new French army bill and the recent cir
cular Of Marshal Mel but just then comes out
the Gar with his War Office tables showing
by full return OF one months work what he
can accomplish In the line Of soldiers and
thus saying TO the Paris boy, last on top of
the heap. "If one month gives ninety-two
thousand such men without a new army bill
what would three or four months give, under
my present plan, with Russian conscription
afterwards 7" This query, founded on facts,
will perhaps cause the French Emperor to
stroke his mustache, light another cigar, and
exclaim with real feeling, "The empire is
peace"
Frightful state of the streets.