The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1896-11-17
Tie ARMY OF RUSSIA
TWO MILLION FIGHTING MEN, WITH
MODERN ARMS.

Would Have n Tremendous Influence In
Case of European War low tho In
fantry Is rrained-Artillery Is Particu-
larry Strong How They March.
AS the military forces Of Russia on a
war footing contain upward of 5000,
900 combatants, it would appear that
something more than coercion that
does not of itself mean war" would be
required to enable any nation of western
Europe to settle the eastern question
without first consulting the car. This
vast army is raised throughout the Rus
sian empire, liability to service being
almost universal. AS rule, service
with the colors lasts for five years, and
in the event of a mobilization of the
forces the field troops would be brought
up to war strength by calling in re-
servists who had served five years in the
ranks. The field troops and field reserve
troops, together numbering 1000, 900 of
men, would be formed into field armies,
which would each comprise number
of army corps rifle brigades and reserve
divisions The remainder of the forces
consist of fortress and depot troops and
imperial militia.
The three line rifle, pattern 1891"
has been introduced III place of the sin
gle loading berdan rife. The new rife
carries five rounds in the magazine, is
of small caliber (.3 inch) and has
smokeless ammunition. On service the
bayonet scahhards are ioft at home, and
the quadrangular bayonet is carried
fixed. The barrel of the rifle is uncased
and screwed into the body, an arrange
ment which helps TO lessen the weight
in fact, the rifle, with bayonet fixed,
weighs only 90 pounds, or about
pound less than the Lee Metford rife
and bayonet used in the British service.
The regulations recognize four kinds
of infantry fire-viz, volley fire. which
may be used at all ranges individual
fire, which is employed up to 500 or 800
PAGES; individual concentrated fire (the
fire of all the men of section or squad
at common object), up to l, 200 PAGES;
mass fire, at greater distances than
1000 PAGES. When within 200 or 800
PAGES of the enemy, fire attains its max
imum intensity by the employment of
magazine fire. After a successful bayo-
net charge the shooting line must con-
tinue its advance to the far side Of the
captured position and press the enemy
by rapid fire, A frontal attack must
be supported by one on the flank When
acting on the defensive, infantry must
put forth every effort to shake the ene-
my by fire, and then attack him with
the bayOnet.
Throughout the Russian cavalry the
men are armed with curved sword,
341 inches long, and rife and bayonet.
IN the Cossacks the front ranks carry
lance. In artillery the Russians are par
ticulGrly strong, and their armament
and projectiles are of the latest and
most approved patterns. The active
army and field reserve troops alone con-
tain upward of 500 batteries, manning
over 1000 guns. General staff officers
form closed corps and are recruited
from those who pass the general staff
academy. The duties of the general
staff, broadly speaking, include the
movements and operations of the army,
intelligence of the enemy and recon
noissance Of the theater of war.
1t is laid down that on marches, when
at distance from the enemy, it is Of
the first Importance to study the COM
fort and convenience of the troops by
separating arms and sending on billet
ing parties and bakers to provide for
the wants Of the troops beforehand.
When near the enemy, however, and on
a march that may lead to an encounter,
the troops advance closed up as much as
possible in columns and aim mainly at
swiftness and secrecy. Pail Mall Ga
zette.
Bay Rum and Canvasbacks,