Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-03
Italian Army Facts.
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The present organization of the Italian
army was decreed by laws passed in
June. 1882. and July, 1888. which
added considerably to the war effective
available under the act Of 1873. On
the lst of January, 1885, the total
number OF soldiers on the roll Of the
permanent army was set down at
$50. 765; the number i'll the mo-
bile militia, or first class Of the
reserve. were 34l. $50; and those
ia the territorial militia l.02l, 954-
which made a grand total of 2.ll3.9 800
soldiers. The Italian army, like the
French, is raised by annual conscrip-
ton among young men having COM
pleted their twentieth year, but those
who wish to finish their term of service
early may volunteer for three years at
the age Of eighteen. The draft for
1884 was $4,000 men; for 1885 it will
be 10000. Conscripts drawn for the
permanent army have to serve three
years in the infantry or four in the cav
airy. after which they pass into the
reserve. and thence into the territorial
militia, their liability to service ter
minating only at the age of forty.
Young men who are not wanted for the
regular draft serve six months with the
colors and then enter the mobile militia,
where they may be called out for six
weeks training year during four
years. and for lesser periods SUISSE
quently. Exemptions are granted.
however, to conscripts of superior edu-
cation. These, after passing an cX-
animation. are enrolled for twelve
month. then reexamined and con-
signed to the territorial militia. The
carabinieri tgcndarmes), the artillery,
engineers, the Alpine companies, and
the picked companies of bersaglieri
(rificmen) are recruited for the most
part with sOlddH d. 0rdinaaza, or long
service men, who enlist for eight years
and are then discharged without further
liability to arms. TO attract recruits
of this kind extra pay is offered, with
promise of employment i'll the civil SER
vice 'ffter discharge.
The army is divided into twelve
corps, each containing two territorial
divisions with ten brigadcs each. Every
corps is supposed to be complete in it.
self. having its proper proportions of all
arms but the arrangements for linking
the battalions of the mobile militia and
Of the territorial militia with those of
the regular army are as yet in an inn
perfect stage, so that in case Of a
general mobilization the reserves would
form separate force. 1t is intend
ed that eventually every regiment
shall have its two battalions of mobile
militia. to be incorporated with it in
time of war. The permanent army
now comprises ninety-six regiments OF
line infantry and twelve Of bersaglieri,
each regiment having three battalions
of four companies and one depot batta-
lion. There are also six regiments OF
Alpine troops Of two battalions. The
cavalry has twenty-five regiments OF
six squadrons and one depot each,
with six extra dep0ts for re-
mounts. The artillery consists OF
twelve field regiments, each of ten
batteries, three companies of train.
and one depot; Of two brigades
Of horse artillery two batteries each) /;
Of five regiments Of fortress artillery,
of two brigades of mountain artillery
flour battcrics): Of twelve coast CON-
panies; Of five companies Of artillery
workmen, and one company Of veterans
or picked gunners. The engineers have
four regiments, two Of which are sap
pers, Of fourteen companies; two GEN.
panies Of train and one depot; one
regiment of pontoniers Of eight COM
panies, and several brigades for
special service In lsgoons. tele-
graphs. &c. The carabinicri, who
do duty at home as mounted
police, form eleven territorial legions