Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-10-28
LOOKS AHEAD FOR WAR
Russia's Great Preparations on
Land and Sea.
sHIPYARDs ARE ALL BUSY

Fighting Strength Of the Empire OF
Nicholas IL Being Constantly In
creased-scents u Clash With Japan
and Proposes to BE Ready For Any
Emergency.
The Russians are getting ready for
IN emergency, which means war with
Japan, and are increasing their navy
and putting their army in fighting con-
dition with great energy and at great
expense, says William Il. Curtis, writ
ing from st. Petersburg to the Chicago
Record Herald The army has recently
been completely reorganized and pro-
vided with new equipments. The Rus
SLAMS unloaded 100000 rifles Of obso-
lete pattern upon the Chinese govern
ment and substituted new ones OF long
range. high power and small caliber.
Those were Russian guns which the
Boxers fired at the British embassy In
Picking during the recent siege.
In numbers and fighting strength the
armies OF Russia and Japan are very
far apart, but it must be considered
that the battle-ground will be on the
other. side Of the world from st. Pc.
tersburg. where Japan will be at home.
Last year 1900 the japanese army on
a peace footing consisted of 81, S47 men,
while that of Russia numbered 1,264.-
200, always under arms. The first re-
serve of Japan was 10000 men and that
of Russia 100000. The second reserve
of Japan was 23S,OOO men. making to-
tai force on war footing OF 4O2.2I4. The
second reserve of Russia numbered
1,47G,OOO, making total Of 100000
soldiers at the command Of the cZar.
But both armies have been reorganiZed
since these statistics were issued.
The sarye difference exists in the
navy. Russia in 1900 having $40 vessels
In commission and Japan III, Russia
5,O73 guns, Japan i,47l.
Russia has twenty-five first class bat
ehirs, twelve armOred cruisers. eleven
first class cruisers and 1876 torpedo
boats. Japan has six first class battle
ships. two armored cruisers. tive first
class cruisers ami sixty-six torpedo
boats. But these comparisons are not
50 significant when the geographical
situation is considered.
The lowest estimate of the peace
strength of the Russian army under the
present reorganization since Jan. l Is
42.OOO officers and 100000 men and
the war footing of 10000 officers and
4,5OOOOO men, which Is million more
than the present numerical strength.
When the vessels now under construc-
ton are completed, the Russian navy
will be increased by 113 ships of all
classes, Including twenty-four battle
ships, twenty-five cruisers, forty -one
gunboats, thirty-tive torpedo boat de-
stroyers and forty-five torpedo boats.
Fifty submarine boats are also under
construction, but they are experiment
tai
The Russian navy estimates are enor-
nous and show continuous increase.
The following statement shows the APP
preparations for the last ten years In
rubles. which are worth IS cents in our
money:
Ruhes Rubles.
1892 ..... 47.Os1. o33 1e97........ 50. o0o. ID
1898. ~, s92 s93 1885, ........ 60, 055 All
1894 .... 52.492, SOB 1880. ........ s., 564. 7Od
1896 ...... 100000 1900. ....... ST. $40. 700
1896 ...... $685. GOO l90l........ 81, G07. 1854
ALSO special appropriation OF 49, 900 rubea
| to be spread over period of seven years
This makes total of GG2. 700.17S ru-
bles. or $3.50. 100000 in American mon
,, ey.
The Russians are not only keeping
their own Shipyards busy. but are
buillliIU NnsSl.lS In IN, nI.n tn w Ger.