The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-04-21
Miscellaneous.
RUSSIA,S MILITARY STRENGTH.

RUSSlA'S MILITARY STRENGTH.
1t has been stated in the English pa
pers that the Russian Government has
ordered the formation of a reserve force
of 1000, 900 men, but for what reason
does not appear. Perhaps there is no
immediate object in view, and the
Government may merely wish to place
the military force of the empire on such
footing that it may be available and
overwhelming, like that of Prussia,
should an occasion arise. But it is one
thing to decree, and another to execute
A correspondent of the London Morning
Post, who seems to have been behind the
scenes at st. Petersburg, has made a
statement which, if correct, is of great
interest and Importance to Europe.
According to him, II medical commiss-
ion was recently appointed to report
upon the condition of the Russian peas
antry, and some unexpected facts were
disclosed. 1t was found that out of the
100000 of the laboring class the
source from which the Russian army
has hitherto been mainly drawn-fully
so per cent. are incapacitated for mill
tary service by physical weakness or
disease. 1t is stated that the total num-
Der of able. bodied men which Russia,
with population of sixty millions, can
reckon up, in not greater than the aggre-
gate produced by the the thirty eight
millions of France. 1t is estimated that
in England the proportion of persons
between the ages of 10 and 60, is 5lS to
every 1000, while in Russia it is only
go. Again, while in Western Europe,
according to the estimate of accepted
authorities, the average duration of life
is about forty years; the average in
Russia, even in the healthiest regions,
varies from % to 27 years. In some dis
tricts - such as the Governments OF
Perm, Viatka and Orenburg-it is re-
ported to be only 10. These are develop
ments of serious import to Il nation
which, the moment it looks beyond its
own limits, can rely upon nothing nut
physical force.
But little more than century and a
half has elapsed since Peter the Great
effected the violent changes by which he
hoped to transform an ignorant and
barbarous people Into civilized nation
but though he did much, and since his
time great deal more has been done
towards the enlightenment of the bulk
of the various population of which the
Russian empire is composed, it can
scarcely be said that the latter are more
than emerging from their long night OF
serfdom and ignorance. They are strug.
Cling into light, and will, no doubt, in
the end, constitute a mighty race !; but
at present what influence Russia posses
ses among the nations is based upon hel
physical force, and if this should fail
herposition would be doubtful. Various
causes are assigned for the deplorablt
state Of things revealed by the stats
tics just quoted (; but the real source o
the evil, lies in two long.establisheC
faults of the Russian system, viz
the low rate of wages and the gross
ignorance of the peasantry. Russia Il
striving to get out of the difficulty by /
military system based upon the Prus
sian model, butit need hardly be pointed
out that with peasantry such as hers Il
at present she may labor for an indef
mite period without producing armies
like those whose recent exploits have
astonished the world. The Russian
soldier is mere machine, without in
telligence; the Prussion is not only ,
machine, but an intelligent one, capable
of being made to serve many purposes
Under the present system, the mill
tary service required of every Russian
is very oppressive. Every male of
years of age is liable to serve in tn
army, except public professors an,
,, teachers. No substitutes are accepted
; and the only plea redemption admitte
| is physical intlrmity. The duration I