The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-12
CONDITION OF RussIA,s ARMY.
Two Million Fighting Men, Armed
with Modern Rides Ready for Ac-
From the Pail Mall Gazette.

From the Pail Mall Gazette.
AS the military forces of Russia on a war
footing contain upward of 5000 900 combat
ants, it would appear that something more
than Coercion that does not of itself mean
war" would be required to enable any ma
ton of Western Europe to settle the east
ern question without first consulting the
car. This vast army is raised through
out the Russian empire, liability to service
being almost universal. AS a rule, SER
vice with the colors lasts for five years,
and in the event of mobilization of the
forces, the field troops would be brought up
to war strength by calling in rsservists
who had served five years in the ranks
The field troops and field reserve troops,
together numbering 600 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 fort
ress and depot troops and imperial militia.
The "three-line rifle, pattern 1884," has
been introduced in place of the single
loaded Berdan rifle. The new rife carries
five rounds in the magazine, is of small
calibre (3 inch), and has a smokeless am
munition. On service the bayonet scab-
bards are left at hime, and the quadrang-
ular bayonet is carried fixed. The barrel
of the rife, with bayonet fixed, weighs only
9la pounds, or about l 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 900 PAGES;
Individual concentrated fire (the fire of all
men of a section or squad at a common
objecD. up to 100 PAGES; a mass fire, at
greater distances than 1900 PAGES. When
within 200 or 300 PAGES of the enemy fire
attatns its maximum intensity by the en-
ployment of magazine fire. After a sue
cessful bayonet charge the shooting line
must continue its advance to the far side
of the captured position, and press the
enemy by a 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
enemy by fire, and then attack him with
the bayonet
Throughout the Russian cavalry the
men are armed with a curved sword, 34I5
inches long, and rifle and bayonet. In
the Cossacks the front rank carry lance.
In artillery the Russians are particularly
strong, and their armament and projec-
tiles are of the latest and most approved
patterns. The active army and field re-
serve troops alone contain upward of 500
batteries, manning over 1900 guns. Cen
eral 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 re-
connolssance of the threaten of war.
II is laid down that on marches, when
at a distance from the enemy, IL is OF the
arst Importance to study the comfort and
convenience OF the troops by separating
arms and sending on b.lleting parties and
bakers to provide for the wants of the
troops beforehand. When near the enc
NV. however and on march that may
lead 10 an encounter. the troops advance
closed up as much as possible in columns,
and aim mainly at swiftness and secrecy
II dunno which is de wust O. de two"
said Uncle Eben, "de man dat thinks he's
too good ter be in politics err de man OATS
90 bad he has ter be put out" -Washing-
ton Star.