The National tribune., 1894-04-26
ITALY,S ARMY.
A Fine-Looking Body of Men. Who Are
Good Soldiers.

| Good Soldiers.
The standing army of Italy is a source o1
pride to the nation. No finer-looking oil
| better-dressed men can be found in Europe
| than the officers in the Italian army. As
| In most of the other nations of Europe, be-
ing brave soldier boy y is not matter OF
choice with the Italian, but matter of COM
pulsion.
When young man is 90 years of age, he
receives notice to report himself at the
proper place for the purpose of drawing a
number. There are three classes of num-
bers; those drawing numbers of the first
class-say, from I to 100 for the purpose
OF lllustration--musts serve three years; of
the second class, say from 100 to 200, 18
months; while those of the third class, or
from 200 to 300, are exempt from duty. An
only son, the support of the family, comes
under this latter class
Gentlemen's sons are always officers, and
where there are two or three lii one family
one must enter for life. The common SOL
dler can work his way up to a certain point,
put no further, unless he pass through a
military school, of which there are two in
ltaly-one in Modena and one in Piedmont.
After passing through the military school,
he is eligible for any rank for which his at
tainments and courage may beft him. The
pay OF the common soldier is 10 centissimi
two cents) day, with clothing and rations.
The latter consists of black bread and soup
with pork or bacon in it. The soldier con-
slders himself in luck when he is permitted
to act as valet to an officer, for then he gets
good things to eat" The pay of an officer
is five francs a day and upward, but he must
clothe himself
The soldiers drill and exercise a great
deal, and in marching they usually march
five hours at a stretch In Summer they
arise at 3 o'csock in the morning to drill.
The bersagliere are companies of soldiers
that are noted for their rapid walking.
They have peculiar step that enables them
to get over the ground in a much quicker
time than the ordinary man. They wear a
distinguishing hat with their uniform it is
broad-brimmed black hat covered with
cocks feathers, which hang dropping to the
shoulder.
The alpini are noted for their courage and
endurance, and are usually chosen for dam
ger0us excursions into mountainous dis
tricts. They wear the regulation breeches,
short cloak flung over the shoulders and
hat with single cocks feather thrust
through The crown.
The carbinere are the most gaudily dressed
of all the men in the Kings army. They
are the ones most trusted with state secrets,
and know at all times the Kings where
abouts.
In times of peace the life of the soldier is
enough, with its marching and
drilling and drilling and marching, but once
in while a little tragedy occurs and then
for time the excitement is intense. Such
an excitement occurred some time ago in
Naples, little later in Florence, and now
in Milan. The soldiers from Tuscany and
the outlaying mountainous districts are rude
and uncultivated as the unlutored savage,
and they are often made the butt of ridicule
by their companions. For the most part
they bear the taunts and .jeers with stocal
Indifference, but once in while one little
less patient than the rest becomes enraged,
and in a fit of madness procures weapon
and shoots right and left regardless of
friend or foe. In Naples and Florence, /
believe, several lives were sacrificed, but in
Milan it is not quite so serious, although an
officer will have to go through life with only
)ne arm as the result of the reckless shoot
ng Of maddened soldier.
Absence from Italy does not free a man |
rom his military duties. have in mind |
7oHng man who went to America several |
7ears ago. When he reached the age of 20 |
le received notice from the Italian Govern
nent to come back and draw his mum ber :;
f he did not have money enough the Gov
rnment would pay his way. He paid no
ttention to the Summons, when he received |
urther notice to the effect that he was out
awed for 80 years, aud even should he !
eturn to Italy at the expiration of that !
ime he would still have to serve his time in
he army.