The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-03-08

PERIOD SEEMS FURTHER AVA TO-DAY THAN EVER
BEFORE, if the increase in the numerical strength of the armies main
tanned by the great nations of the world afford a reliable indication,
Russia now leads the list in the worlds armament with a peace
establishment that has grown in recent years to the enormous pro-
portions of more than a million of men, having on her rolls at the
present time 100000 soldiers of all arms. Germany comes next
With over 100000. France follows with about $4,000. Great Brit
ain has nearly the same number as France, not including her Indian
troops, some 10000 strong. Impoverished Italy, ard impecunious
Turkey, each maintain a standing force Of $4,000 men, and the Unit
ed States has upon her rolls to-day about $4,000 men with legal au-
thoity for $4,000 more.
In addition to her land force, Great Britain maintains All war
vessels and an immense host of sailors to man and sail them. France
has 4S4 war vessels, Russia 34I, Germany 26I, Italy 23r and the
United States I3s.
H MAINTENANCE OF THESE GREAT ORNAMENTS
BY LEADING NATIONS O. THE WORLD LEAvES LIT
TIE ROOM TO HOPE THAT THE PERIOD is NEAR AT
HAND WHEN THE SOLDIER WILL NO LONGER BE
NEEDED, and moral and religious sentiment will prove sufficiently
strong to enable the peaceful settlement Of serious disputes between
nations. 1t is evidently too early by a century or more to think of
disbandng armies and converting war vessels into merchantmen.
These great ornaments, we are told, are maintained in the inter
est OF peace, a condition Of readiness for war being regarded as the
best possible security for the continuance of friendly relations be
tween the nations.
But this view, while generally accepted, is rejected as purely
Hypothetical by a respectable minority. THE EXISTENCE OF
THESE VAST this minority asserts, AFFORDS
OF GRATIFYING PASSIONS THAT MIGHT
BE APPRAISED BY PEACEFUL METHODS IF THE CONDE
TIONSO OF READINESS FOR WAR DID NOT EXIST.
An advocate of the majority view while visiting in St. Petersburg
not long since, was favored with a place of honor on the occasion Of
a review by the emperor of the imperial troops stationed in and
about the capital.
The reflections of the gentleman, as related to a friend, reveal a
view Of these great ornaments not generally entertained.
Several hours were consumed in the passing of the royal pageant
of guns and horses and men, moving before their sovereign with
marvellous precision, the troops giving evidence by their solderly
bearing Of the high training to which they had been subjected. The
gentleman stood not far from the emperor, and for a time endeavored
to study the emotions shown in his majestys face as he gazed upon
the brilliant display. The visitors purpose, however, was presently
lost in his own emotions as he began to consider the possible things
he might be prompted to do if he possessed the power of the Gear
OF all the Russas," and held at his bidding so perfect and seemingly
invincibe an army as that now passing before him.
The review ended finally and the gentleman retired to his quar-
tiers in the city, thankful that the question of the aggrandizement of his
country by war, or the qualification of his personal ambition by mill
tary conquest, was not in his keeping.