The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-29
UNCLE SANS FIGHTING FORCE.
II IN Probably Greater Than That OF ANY
Other Country on Earth.
fErnm the New York Sun

From the New York SUM-
In the table of the armed strength OF
various countries 1t is customary TO
mt Russia first among the nations OF
=, the. world, with an active army OF
1875. 900 soldiers, q first reserve OF
$500 900. and q second reserve OF
1875, 900, bringing up the total number
of available soldiers on war footing to
about 5, 100, 900. as against 5000, 600 in
Germany, A. 800. 900 in France, $780,
900 in Italy. 1000 900 in Austria Hun
gary, and /, 100, 900 in Turkey. But
recognized authority among military
men, the France Militaire Of Paris In
recent issue disputes the correctness OF
the popular belief that Russia can put
in she field the largest army OF the
world In time of war, and says; The
United States is not great military
power from the point of view OF its
effective foot forces in peace, but In
time of war its permanent contingent
army of the world"
Prior to the beginning of the Santi-
ago campaign and the stirring events
Of Q year ago, at Manila. it was not
usual to include the United States IN
any computations of available armed
strength, the nations of Europe being
compared only with each other in this
regard. But, ss the quotation from the
French military journal shows, in all
computations Of available military
strength the United States must now
be reckoned as factor, and very it,
tie computation shows that the view Of
the French military paper is very near
" correct. In the first place, in all
authentic estimates Of the available
fighting strength of European countries.
soldiers" of every grade are included
In the general total. whereas the Ameri-
can total is made up only Of the regu-
lars in the permanent service OF the
United States, and without any re-
ference whatever to the National
Guards, which corresponds to the first
reserve, and outnumbers the regulars in
the proportion Of ten to one. The num-
Der of able bodied male residents in
different countries is put at 20. 900, coo
In Russia, IL, 900, 900 in Germany, TO-
900, 900 in Austria, 1900. 900 in France.
500, 900 in Great Britain. $500 900 in
Italy, and 4, 900. 900 in Spain.
By the Federal census Of 1890 the
number of residents of this country in
the category Of males between eighteen
and forty-four years, both included,
was 18, $50, 900. Since then the popula-
ton Of the United States has increased
20 per cent, according to the most re-
liable estimate. The actuaIy OF the
Treasury estimated the population OF
the United States on June /, 1897. as
72,S07. 900. and by next years census
there lie very little doubt that the total
population will be shown to be 70 .OOO,-
900, an increase Of 1000. 900 over nine
years ago, and the total number OF
Americans of military age will not fall
short Of 1900 900.
In the United States the number Of
physically disqualified persons incap-
able Of serving in the army is material
ly less than in Russia, and the sd-
ministrative business Of this country,
too, IL conducted almost exclusively by
civilians, whereas Russia is under
practical military rule, thus taking
from the number Of those available for
military service all who are in the en-
ploy Of the government. Moreover,
while forty-four years is put generally
as the maximum age for soldiers, the
majority Of commanders and many OF
the officers, as well as the rank and file,
are above forty-four. Everything con-
sidered. it is probable that Uncle Sam
could, on g pinch, put more troops in
the field for Finish fight" than any |
other country in the world.