The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-02-25
The European Armaments.

A military correspondent OF the Lon
don Times, OPPORTUNITY estimates the
number and efficiency OF the various con.
tinental armies: The events of 1866 set
aside the old theory of war. Reconstruc-
ton db ortginc, became a necessity for
every army in Europe except that OF
Prussia. No state has neglected this
work, and all the stronger nations have
pressed it forward as rapidly as possible.
1t would be idle to deny that at the pres
ont moment the general result is of spec
ial importance. The correspondent OF
the Times estimates that two Of the Eu-
ropean states are thoroughly prepared for
war, with splendid armies and abundant
nldteriet; the rest are more or less in ar
rears. France could put into the field
full half a million of men, armed with
breach leaders, which, without being per-
feet, are decidedly superior to the Prus-
sian needle gun. Behind this great
army is vast array of reserves, more or
less carefully equipped, making altogeth-
er million combatants. The latest i'm
provements In organization have been
carefully attended to. The French artil-
lery is good The Prussians have greatly
improved. too. But the infantry fight
-,
have been avoided by the French. The
Prusslan cavalry and artillery are not all
that they might be, the latter being in
particular indiiierently handled. In 1866
the Austrian artillery proved decidedly
superior. Prussia great strength lies
in her infantry. which has on its side all
the prestige of successes, as we'll as con-
fidence and experience in its weapon.
The South German armies, too, would
be at the command Of Prussia in case OF
war, though their movements are slow,
and their efficiency somewhat below the
average. They lumber 2OD.OOO on pa
per. The North German Confederacy
is inferior in numerical force to France,
but the difference in the field would be
practically small.
Two great powers, then, are ready for
the combat, having commands of men,
money and the spirit of antagonistic races
The rest Of the European nations are un-
prepared for a great struggle. Austria
is behind, but is yet more formidable
than in 1866. The new organization
gives peace strength of $50, 600 a regu-
lar army for war of 800, 900, including the
reserves-berder troops $1,000, and
Landwehr 200, 1000, besides the Lands
turn, not yet completely organized. The
field artillery did right well in the war,
and has needed no changes. The cavalry
rode and fought splendidIy, but were not
employed to the extent or in the manner
they ought to have been, and probably
would be now. Breechloaders have
been furnished to the troops, and the arm
now in use viii be replaced shortly by a
better one. y few years of peace would
bring Austria once more to the front
Russia Is still further behind. She pro-
fesses to have force Of "a million and Il
hall, of all arms, but this Is a pen-and-ink
estimate. 1t is certain that only part of
the army has rifled field guns and breech-
loading small arms, and without these
modern necessities for var it would be
madness to take the field against trained
European troops. Italy has $50, 900
regulars and National Guard, but from
the weakness Of the government, and the
fightuess of the people, the Italian army
is of less value in calculations, than any
other In Europe, except Spain. As to
Turkey, she has got an Englishman to
take charge of her feet-when she does
the same with her army there will be
some interest IN counting its numbers.
The writer sums up that if France and
Prussia would would shake hands, or
Prussia and Austria form strict offensive
and defensive alliance, there would be
little fear of war for some years. Untor-
tunately, neither eff these contingencies
is probable at present.