The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-17
Relative Strength Of the Different Arms
in Each Service.
REGULAR TROOPS AND RESERVES.
The Irregular Forces Of Each Country Con-
sidcred with Relation 10 Its
Military Strength.
CoSsACES, SEPOYS AND BAsHI-BAzOUKs.

While tho world is awaiting with anxiety tho signal
tor the contest in the East that will undoubtedly de-
cidothe fate OF tho Ottoman Empire in Europe. aud
perhaps involve that Continent In OF tue greatest
wars Of modern times IL viii be interesting TO motto tho
relative military strength OF tho prospective comba-
tapts aud thus estimate tho chances OF victory Tor
cach As Russia, England aud Turkey the Powers
that will DO first engaged in Is found to DO
avosdable is 10 these nations particularly that tho
following analysis OF military strength is intended to
apply
RussIAs scHExE OF CONQUEST.
The desire OF tho Cars Of Russia gain footing
tho shores Of the Bosphous and by the occupation OF
Constannople 70 revive again under their standards
the ancient gores Of tho Eastern Empire Of Theodo-
sius and Constantine, is perhaps the key of East
crn question. For centuries the Russian has
cast longing gances at the Golden Horn. aud
Il Is but little moro than twenty years ago
when It took the united strength OF four
powerful European nations and tho moral suasion.
backed by large armies. Of ohors, prevent the
Gear from accomplishing his long cherished design.
The colossal power OF Russia is not easily applied
such special undertaking the conquest OF Turkey
because OF tho immense distances that troops sup
plies must be conveyed in order place them the
Held OF operations aud tho absence OF adequate means
OF transportation which other European countries
enjoy. Tho Russian railroad system Is not yet
piec, and until II is the prospects overwhelming
Russian in tho OF Turkish territory
arc not good. But sooner does the Muscovtc
nation finish her iron roads, that she may DO, It
we're, tied together with these invaluable internal
bonds, and by which her gigantic military
can be speedily directed toward and collected given
European, well as Asatc, Power which tho aspira-
tions Of her rulers and statesmen would make herr
EXTENT or THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE-irs POPULATION.
It IL calculated that the Empire Of tho Gear extends
over oncscvenh OF the land surface OF the globe aud
represents about onetweny OF its entire SUPER
fetal area II difficult arrive at tho true area OF
Russia, OF the obstacles that present them.
selves TO the making Of general survey Of such
immcnse extent OF country. The estimate
because It Was deemed tho most accurate, was madc
In 1874, whereby the OF the Empire down
at 404 767 square miles. 1t is divided into Sec
lions. tho European and Asasic. the former having
OF 81, CSC square miles and population
OF O., 6jS 934 This does include either the King
dom OF Poland tho Grand Duchy OF Finland or tho
Caucasian PROVINCES The population Of Russian Po-
land O. 700 6U7 and It's 2l6 square miles FIN
land has S43 2i5 inhabitants and aroa or 9, S35
square miles, and Caucasus 66l s24 inhabitants
and Is 93S square miles in Russia In Asia has
estimated population OF 4l2 but these inhab-
itants belong chiefly to tho Nomadic tribes
The population Of Russia is divided into three great
groups besides variety of national elements inter-
mixed in the general or the inhabitants Tho
Great Russians, Vefiko Russ, number 80, 600 600
and occupy tho provinces. The Little Russians, or
Aalo Russ number about 600 o00 and the bulk
Of the population in Putava Kharko Chernigof kcf,
volhynia, PodolsK, Ekatcrinoslaf and tho Laur,da.
Tho white Russians, about 100000 in number, are
found in Monticf, Minsk, vebsk and Grodno. With
these groups the Finns 3, 600; Li,huanians,
234S 900; Jews 1881 900; rartars $500 0OO Slav.
onans in Poland and Lithuana, about Z, 900 O0O and
Armenians, 1000, 600
THE RUSSIAN ARMY
From the above described population il drawn tho
regular army OF the Russian Empire. Tho armed force
Of Russia 10 composed Of activo and territorial
army. The first Is divided into tho land and marine
forces The land comprises the regular troops
annually recruited throughout tho Empire; the re.
serves intended to complete tho strength Of the army
10 war footing and composed of men on leave; the
Irregular troops such tho Cossacks tho troops
composed Of foreign elements
The territorial army IS formed by all the male In.
habtats OF the Empire, between the ages Of twenty
and forty, who are tit for military service anu not
already enrolled IN tho active regular army. Bya
law OF January IL, 1874 the military service Is rem
dered obligatory on all Russian subjects. except Ia
tan and tho transcaucasan territory. Exceptions
are, however, madc favor Of certain professions,
such cergymen, doctors, &c Tho duration Of SER
vco In European Russia fixed at fifteen years-that
Is, years in the active army and nine IN tho 70.
serves In Aslac Russia the OF service IL Inn
tied to ten years, seven OF which spent in the
active army and three In the reserves
ORGANIZATION OF THE ACTIVE OR REGULAR ARMY.
This force is subdivislbIc into the field troops tho
reserves, the local complementary, the corps OF in-
struction and auxiliary troops. These nequaly
divided among fourteen military regions, ten OF which
arc In European Russia, in the Caucasian prov
nces three Asiatic territory. The chief OF each
military region commands all tho troops stationed
within his Jurisdiction.
INFANTRY.
Tho regular field army comprises forty.esght div,s-
ions Of two brgadcs OF two reyments-that Is total
OF 1872 regiments OF infantry. Each regiment has
three battaons OF i've companies, except those on
detached service In tho Caucasus the regiments OF tho
division OF Grenadcrs Of tho Caucasus and those OF
the Nineteenth Twentieth, Twenty FIRST.
Thirty ninth and Forty-nrst divisions, which have
each fou. battalons OF Jour companies Tho effective
strength OF the footing regiments having four
baltaions Is 900 mon per battalion, and on "A peace
footing 400 men Regiments Of three battalions have
war effective strength OF $40 per battalion, and
peace strength OF 04O men. Tho effective strength
OF cddre Is $50 men. Under tho regulations in
progress OF application all the regiments OF infantry
VIII havo tour battalions OF tour companies and an
effective strength equal to that of regiments OF the
Caucasus
cuAssEURs OR RIFLgMEN
There eight brigadss OF chasscurs In the Russian
army OF the guard, lvo OF the line ono OF the
Caucasus and one OF Turkcstan. Each brigade has
four battalons of Tour companies. The line battaons
720 slrone those OF the Caucasus equal In Of
icctvc strength the Infantry battaions OF that
region, anu In peace strength 400 Il Is intended
TO give all tho chasscnr battaons equal strength
governed by thai OF tho ba,taIions the Caucasus
CAVALRY.
Tho organization OF this arm. fixed OH the 9Th Of
August, 1873, Is as iolows:--Two divisions OF the