The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-07
RUSSIA.
The Army OF the Czar-uiIitary Resources
of the Empire.


of the Empire.
The Russian army of to-day is mainly
+be creation of the present Emperor,
Who since his accession to the throne has
,9ienlaved a remarkable energy In carry
ing forward his great reforms, as well as
his opposition GO the Utop1an projects OF
a by. no-means feeble and radical party
within the empire.
Although at the beginning of the Cri-
mean war the Russian army numbered
I.4OO. 900 men, of whom only 245, 600
were irregular troops, it was neverthe-
Less unable TO withstand the assaults of
the western armies, mainly on account
of it's lack of proper organization and
discipline. Hence the first care of
Alexander III. was the increase and thor
OUCH discipline of the military organl-
cation. and from 1862 to 1869 constant
attention was paid to the augmentation
and strengthening OF the army. But
the astonishing rapidity with winch the
German army was modified IN 1870
suggested to the Gar that an important
element was lacking in the Russian
army, namely, intelligence, and That
higher plane must be reached before 1t
could be rendered effective. Hence, In
November. 1870, Adit. Gen. Miliutin,
then War Minister, was directed to in
ta.oduce the system of general military
duty, and on the 18th of January, 1874,
the ukase announcing that the new law
was In force was issued.
THE NEW MILITARY LAW.
Every Russian is liable to military.
duty from the 21st of January OF the
year in which he becomes years OF age.
The local exceptions to this provision
are.for the present the grand duchy of
Finland and the distant regions OF
Siberia, Turkestan and Transcaucasia.
Distinct regulations are also made for
the Cossack countries, and exemptions
are allowed for physical disabilities, for
pressing business necessities and for the
Christian priesthood. Swans, artists,
physicians and apothecaries have only
limited privileges, inasmuch az they are
not drafted into actual service. but must
serve for fifteen years in the reserves.
The conditions, however, for claiming
freedom from field service are, III eonse-
quence of the cheapness OF human
material, many and easy.
The term of service III European Rus
STA is fifteen years-six years under the
flag and nine In the service. In Asia
the term is only ten years, but seven OF
these are passed in active duty.
In 1874 there were In the seventy
three governments of European Russia
707, GOO men born in 1853, and subse-
qUently subject to enrolment; OF this
number 694, 600 reported; the a6sentees
were mainly of the Jewish population.
Of those who reported only one-half
were held, the remainder being excused
for various reasons. Eventually, only
145, 900 of the entire quota were declared
fit for active service.
THE RESERVES.
From 1857 to 1868 no drafts were
made on the population, in order to
enable the country to recuperate after
the drain made necessary by the Cri-
mean war. From 1868 to 1874 an an
nual draft of $4,000 men was made,
which number was increased by volun-
teers to 100000. This left a reserve
force of about ], 100000 men. At pres
emit the entire available army, including
reserves, comprises about 1,250,00O
men; this number does not include the
irregular troops, nor the contingent to
j
HORSES.
Russia possesses a great number Of
excellent and hardy horses. In 1871 the
number was computed at 19, 266, OOO, or
225 to every 1000 of the population.
Austria has only SO, the German empire
80, and France 80 horses, to every 1000
inhabitants. The horses OF the Ukraine
and the Don, as well SIS those of the
Khirgizes, the Kalmucks, and the
Tcherkessen, are invaluable for military
use. Esthonia and Finland likewise
have hardy race of horses.
sa ARMS AND CLOTHING.
The freanm to be used by the in
fantry is the Berdan rife, but at present
only three divisions of the guards, six
teen infantry divisions, and the sharp
shooters battahons are supplied with
this weapon. The remainder of the
troops have the old muskets altered into
breech-loaders.
The artillery is supplied with four to
nine FOUNDER breech-loading steel and
bronze cannon. In the Caucasus there
are also three FOUNDER mountain how
itzers. The Calling mitrailleuses have
been replaced by four-pounder guns.
The army corps eacn nave depart
ment for furnishing clothing and other
supplies. The new men are clothed
from stock furnished by six central
workshops, each of which in ordinary
times turns out Is 900 complete suits
per year, and can double the number if
required.
ARMY EXPENSES.
The Russian army budget, which was
5O,769, 600 roubles In 1882, had increased
to 169, 290, 600 reubles by 1878; in 1874 it
amounted to It's, 1864 roubles, or,
34.4 per centum of the entire expenses
of the empire. For 1875 the sum APP
propriated for the army was fixed at
1854, 788 roubles, of which amount
5000, 900 roubIes we're placed in the re-
serve fund. The amount appropriated