The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-05-11
vurAuuvcs OrErRopu.


From mn exchange we obtain some In
teresting figures about the armies of the
old world. The siX most powerful gov
ernments of Europe have. In complete
fighting order. about ten million men.
Ten years ago, about the close OF our
late war. there were million armed men
under our command. and 80 notable n
circum stance was Of the greatest interest
on the continent. Il was felt to be 30
contrary to American ideas that, although
the war had but recently closed. and the
future of the southern country was nm
certain. the ablcst heads OF the North,
such as MIR. Chase and Mr.. Stanton. felt
the necessity of Immediately di-banding
this great military establishment will,
the least delay. The most remarkable
feature Of our experience was the facility
with which the men ofboth the Conicdc-
rate and Federal arInic, were absorbed
into civil life. In ten year, hardly an cv-
idcncp of thi- force remains. The various
avocations have received the former sol
dicrs Of the blue aud the grey. \, we
see them in their usual business they
show no sign of the four year, of war
through which they have 80 recently
passed. Their military service wa. only
an episode, and they have now gone back
TO lic's ordinary avocation@.
But in Europe all this l. different.
Their military system keeps these ten
millions idle. their only business being to
drill and train for war. The profession
| of soldier j. the only one they know.
The military element of continental cotln-
tric- j. Withdrawn from the useful trades
and agriculture. and i entirely non pro-
ductiyc. being fed. clothed and tran>por-
ted at the government expense. This cX-
pcnsc j. immense. In 1874 ii cost Russia
5000, 600 francs To maintain her military
establishment France 1l90O00OO: Aus.
tria $4,000 900, and Italy 2l0.0O0.0o0.
Aud now, with Increasing debt and
more oncrou, taxation. the armies are
being rapidly increased. Russia ha. II
system of drafting which will allow her
TO muster an army of three and quarter
millions of men, armed with improved
weapons. Germany now la, under arms
$50, 600 able, efficient soldiers. with q
Land.ulrm or reserve 10000 strong,
which can be brought into the field on
ten days notice, fully equipped aud
ready for war. The new military rifle
the Manscr--is an arm with a killing
range OF fifteen hundred yards. and the
artillery is equipped with the best steel
guns of krupp's manufacture. If the
Landsturm i, put under the orders OF the
war office of the empire. Germany will
have force in active service OF $500. 900
first class soldiers. The army of France
now on active duty mustcr> 100000
strong. armed with modern weapon, and
equipments Of the best make. Austria
has enrolled and in active ser
vice $4,000 men. and could i'll
crease the force 10 l.2j00O0 in Il very
short time. Italy has an army of 80. 900
regularly under pay. Spain has about
10000. Holland 100000. Belgium 40.
900, and Switzerland only about $1,000
regular troops, but reserve of 100 900
men could be speedily made available.
These armies are ready for service in the
! field. When or where they viii De first
required is not yet known. When 1t
docs come ii will be- the great conflict OF
this century. and II i impossible for the
map Of Europe 10 remain unchanged.
This condition of affairs abroad will have
ii, effect on us in the United states. The
last census shows that 100000 people
were employed in farming in thi, coun-
try. Taking into consideration the fact
that We have our home population 20
feed and Europe 10 look to Us for a market.
the indications are in favor OF rising
market for everything We have To sell.
In any event, a continental war would
increase our commerce and strengthen
every department Of trade and industry.