The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-08
RUSSIA.
The Army OF the Cxar--Miiitary Resources
or the Empire. ..r t...I

Al Y
the creation of the present Emperor
who since his accession to the throne ha'
displayed remarkable energy in carry
ing forward his great reforms, as we'll az
his opposition to the Utop1an projects Of
a by, no-means feeble and radical party
within the empire. ..a. ia. \
Although at the beginning OF the Cri-
mean war the Russian army numbered
,4OO, 900 men, of whom only 245, 00C
were irregular troops, it was neverthe-
less unable to Withstand the assaults OF
the western armies, mainly on account
OF its lack of proper organization and
discipline. Hence the first care OF
Alexander III. was the increase and thor
ough discipline of the military organi-
zation, and from 1852 to 1869 constant
attention was paid to the augmentation
and strengthening OF the army. But
the astonishing rapidity with which the
German army was mobilized in 1870
suggested to the Oar that an important
element was lacking in the Russian
army, namely, intelligence, and that a
higher plane must be reached before it
could be rendered effective. Hence, in
November, 1870, Adjt. Gen. Miljutin,
then War Minister, was directed to in
troduce 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 as 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, in conse-
quence of the cheapness OF human
mnterial, many and easy.
The term of service in European Rus
STA is fifteen years-six years under the
flag and nine in the service. In Asia
the term ID 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, 900 men born in 1858, and subse-
quently subject to enrolment; of this
number 694, 900 reported; the absentees
were mainly of the Jewish population.
OF those who reported only one-half
were held, the remainder being excused
for various reasons. Eventually, only
1000 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 reserve
force of about 1000, 900 men. At pres
ent the entire available army, including
reserves, comprises about 1,25O,OOO
men; this number does not include the
irregular troops, nor the contingent to
be furnished this year.
HORSES.
Russia possesses a great number OF
excellent and hardy horses. In 1871 the
number was computed at 10, 266, 900, or
225 to every 1000 of the population.
Austria has only 80, 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.
ARMS AND CLOTHING.
The fireanm to be used by the in
fantry is the Berdan rifle, but at present
only three divisions of the guards, six
teen infantry divisions, and the sharp
shooters battalions 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-pounder mountain how
itzers. The Calling mitrailleuses have
been replaced by four-pounder guns.
Lie army COIpS cdCu nave IL ucpoio-
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.
M ARMY EXPENSES.
The Russian army budget, which was
so, 1858, 900 roubles in 1882, had increased
to 169, 900, 900 reubles by 1873; in 1874 it
amounted to 175, 11S,664 roubles, or,
34.4 per oenturu 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 roubles were placed in the re-
serve fund. The amount appropriated
for the navy in the same year was U.s.
O00, 900 roubles.
Old Mr.. Parker's Shave.
. Old Mr.. Parker's beard troubled him.
1t was O week old, and his chin looked
like stubble-feld. He was walking
slowly along Cortlandt street, when his
ear caught the word, Next" It came
from q basement, and a smooth-faced
but rather detected looking gentleman
stepped out upon the street. He was