The Wilmingtonian., 1885-03-28
ARMY AND NAVY.
ENGLAND'S RES OURCES A.
VALUABLE BY LAND AND SEA.
The Immense Reserve Forces of the
Mother Country Ready for the
Russian Conflict.

1t is very much the custom in this coun-
try to underate the military and naval re-
sources Of England. Her army commonly
stated at zoo, 600 fighting men gives very
untrue conception, and a very different idea
may be gained when we consider what she
has Immediately available.
The army roster is as follows:-activc
army s25, 900 (peace footing 100000, de-
pot troops $4,000, reserves $50, Ooo making
toUol of $4,000, OF the active army there
are so, 900 in India, exclusive of Wolseley's
corps in the Soudan and on foreign service
elsewhere. The item of $50, 600, called re.
serves represents generally speaking the
volunteer militia of England a very fine
body of men, thoroughly drilled and equip
ped, whose efficiency has repeatedly
gained the highest encomiums from German
and French military critics, and
in military circles are esteemed
not whit inferior to the regulars
A more detailed account of English mill
tary resources, given of course previous to
Egyptian or Afghanistan troubles, divided
tue regular English army INTO three classes.
as follows:-Class A.-Total of ali ranks,
1s9,s2S, of which 69,924 We're serving in
India, 81, 470 in the colonies, and los, ,434 at
home. Glass B-includes the reserves and
auxiliary forces-militia, yeomanry, and
volunteers, 346,65l men. Making active
and reserve forces within the United King
dom 452, ,0S5. Glass C-includes Indian and
colonial troops, 1877, 449, and those of the
North American confederation, West Indies,
Australia ETC., 81, $3.50.
The contingents furnished by native H.
diam +as under English protection. and
the untfs, I militia of Canada, together
amounting to about COG, 900 men have not
been taken into account in the summary of
colonial reserve forces. When the popula-
tion of India, e4O, 100000 is remembered,
the easy probability of as large an Iudian Z
contingent as stated is readily conceiva-
BILE.
In regard to the naval resources of En-
gland outside of the regular navy which is
| nrahsisl -clls s--1A-sSl, any rA.-s-..c.=s-~
pean powers. Sir Thomas Brassey high
authority upon this branch of the service,
states that the British mercantile marine
has 407,00 seamen, exclusive of men in
British ships in tbe colonies and abroad.
These figures include IS, 200 cettihcated
masters and mates, and 10, 900 not certifica-
ted. The British Admiralty has on its lists
14O large ocean going steamships, compart-
ment fitted, which could be armed in the
event Of war, each of these averaging over
1000 tons and having a speed of twelve
knots an hour and over. These are intend.
ed as troopships, convoy guards, and dis
patch boats.
The largest numoer of contracts ever CIV
Ell out by the English naval authorities for
the construction of new ironclads and gun
boats has been awarded this year The
same authority quoted previously states
that if the system Of naval CONSUMPTION ex-
isting to-day in France were applied to En-
gland of including the crews of fishermen
coasters, boatmen and the workingmen in
the private shipbuildng yards and dock
yards, there would be an addition to the
English naval roll of from 700, 900 to SOC, 900
men.
By these figures it may be seen that En-
gland when contending with the Colossus
of the North, does not rate, oven in land
forces numerically speaking, much below
Russia. whose numberless and apparently
inexhaustive hories have heretofore been
the main argument of her national
strength.
Iu comparing the physique OF the rival
armies, it is quite probable that the Sikh
and Mahratta navalry are not inferior to the
Cossack. They, like The Cossack, are born
to warfare and exist on horseback. At the
saulS bA'AS - SsiH i"iNis " SAfSNNSN NAhh q"
= regiment Of Sepoys could stand the brunt of
heavy cavalry charge with the steadness
of a regiment of the Russian line as at Sch.
astopol However, both Indian infantry
and cavalry fought we'll at Tel FL Kebir and
Lower Egypt. They would be ofinvaluable
y aid to a corps Of $4,000 English regulars
, campaigning in Aighanistan.
A very important and efficient branch Of
: an English offensive corps only lately in
- troduced into the service, the naval brigade,
. should not be forgotten. Some Of its bat
3 alliuns under Lord Charles Beresford at Al
> exandi ia and in the Sondan lately demon
straied of what great value they are. 1t is
probable should war break out between
= England and Russia that force of 10, 600 or
is 20, 600 of the naval brigade will accompany
the Fuglish feet to the Baltic in the at
IN tack on Cronstadt and the Qualifications aui
m land deferses of St. Petersburg,
Is -s