The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-04-12
ENGLAND'S ARMAMENT.
The Military Forces Of Great Britai

[From the New York Tribune.l
The military forces of Great Britain,
as now organized, are composed of (1)
the standing army, (2) the first-class
army and militia reserve, (3) the militia,
a. the volunteers, and 90 the second
class army reserve. The regular or
standing army-about 1872, 900 strong
corresponds in organization and duties
with that of the smaller regular army in
this country. The first class army and
military reserve have no counterpart in
the American system. They are composed
respectively of men who have served
three years or thereabouts in the regular
army and the militia. These men now
form part of the civil population, but, as
order, they will be expected to repair to
the brigade depot at which they are en-
rolled.
The militia-S5, 900 strong-corre-
spends in some respects to the National
Guard of this State, but the discipline is
nearly as stringent as in the regular
army. The militia is only intended for
home defense, and cannot be sent out of
the United Kingdom. The members of
this branch of the service arc paid
small sum annually. The volunteers
$50, 900 strong-correspond more closely
to the State troops in this country than
the militia. The regiments are composed
mainly of young men engaged in bust
ness occupations, and they are COM
manded by officers selected by them
selves and approved by the Government.
The second class army reserve-10, 900
strong-is composed of old pensioners,
who are now off duty, but who are ex-
pected to repair to military depots and
serve when called out.
In a recent article on the British
army, Sir Garnet Wolseley gives inter-
esting information which throws light
on the contemplated measures of the
Government. According to our exist
ing military SYSTEM" he says, "upon
war being declared the militia is called
out, and hands over its reserve at once
to the line, who, together with our first
class army reserve, would give us about
1000 good men to bring up our line
battalions to war strength. Our second
class army reserve, consisting of old SOL
diers, although past the prime of life,
would supply us with about 10, 600 bay
onets quite fit for garrison duty. The
four companies of regular infantry now
at each of the seventy brigade derots
would at once be formed into cadres of
seventy depot battalions, and begin re-
cruiting Loo lily. To them would be
dispatched all the men who last year
joined the battalions it is intended to
engage in active SERVICE"
Regarding the forces which England
may call into requisition, Sir Garnet
Wolseley makes an interesting state
ment "At no previous PERIOD" he
says, "of our history have we ever been
so strong, in a military sense, as at pres
ent. In 1854 we were very weak in
field artillery f.; the military force in these
islands was under 10000 men, and there
was no reserve whatever beyond some
pensioners, who were too old for field
service. Were war declared tomorrow,
about 100000 drilled men would fall
into line if required, supported by 372
field guns, manned and horsed by the
Royal Artillery. That number would
roughly be made up as follows:
Standing army lat home) $4,000
Army and militia reserve. 1000
hllitia oo,uOU
.iou;OOO
Second-cass army reserve. 10000