Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-06-28
EurOpean Armaments.

Il hardly need be said that the size
OF the European armacents ut the
present time is far beyond what may
be regarded as the popular conception
of the actual conditions Ct affairs. The
most recent figures show that the war
strength OF Germany, France, Russia,
Italy, Austria, Turkey anu the Balkan
States is not lie - than 10, 49,, 900 men.
The second reserves amounting to g.
$50. 600, and the third reserves TO Q, 1885,
OOJ additional. This means mass OF
men In numbers equal To the popula-
ton OF first class state, all trained
and equipped for battle, and ready at
any moment TO obey the call and take
the field. In the next great war, which,
in the estimation Of many competent
judges is extremely liable To become
general, there is the possibility OF some
$4,000, 00J of Europeans being engaged.
OF the C more than two-thirds are now
engaged in civil pursuits. With the
outbreak OF war they would be hurried
from the office, the field and the work
shop, and commercial, manufacturing
and agricultural interests would be
virtually paralyzed. To illustrate
more clearly what would happen let
us take the German Empire. The popu-
lation is estimated at 47,0J0,0JO. or
this number about 24,000,0 600 are fe-
males, and the calculation is that about
l4,OOO.000 males, taking into account
infancy, old age and physical unfitness,
are OF no use Tor war purposes. These
deductions being IN tde, the able bodied
persons available for service in camp
and barrack are reduced TO about o.
100000. More than one-fourth OF these
would have to don their uniforms and
abandon their civil occupations the
moment war was declared, and in the
event OF an entrance having been affect
ed by the enemy on German territory
more than one-half would have to join
the colors. The same thing would
happen in each Of the other countries
except Russia. II is no exaggeration
to speak Of Europe as an armed camp
These armies could also be IN )st rapid
ly and easily modified. Germany, for
instance, could, in the case of sudden
breaking out OF war, place, in seventy
two hours not less than go, 900 men,
fully equipped on French soil; and at
the end of seven days this number
would be increased to 100000. She
could in three days put 10000 men
upon Russian soil, and in the same
space of time she could plant 100, 900
in Austria. What could Austria do?
She could in three days carry 60, 900
troops into Russia. Russia is not so
well prepared for rapid movement; but
it is c lculated that she could bring to
the Austrian frontier in three days 25-
600 men, and by the end of seven days
10000. France is already well pre-
pared for rapid movement and she is
about TO increase her railroad facilities
in the direction of the northeast. AL
ready she could. it is thought, carry
2O0.O 900 men TO the frontier in three
days and 700, 900 within week When
the new arrangements shall have been
completed, the calculation is that these
figures will be increased to POO, 600 and
and $4,000 respectively. OF course
calculations may fail and accidents
may mar the success of the best laid
plans. Under these conditions how
long may Europe expect TO be at
peacep-Boston Traveller.