The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-05

breasted blouses and knickerbockers Of
that color. The footguards and grenadiers
have bright colored pipings and facings on
their green coats. Some Of the lancers
wear blue, and the cars hussars are bril-
liant in scarlet. The Cossacks wear most
ly dark blue or green. But the general
effect, the prevailing tone, is dark green,
except in the hot months, when white is
the leading note. ;,s
AS to equipment, Russian infantry
man carries thirty rounds of ammunition
in his belt thirty more rounds in a ban
dolier hung over his left shoulder un-
derneath his great coat, which is carried
there done up in a roll and final re-
serve supply of ammunition consisting
of thirty rounds. carried in a pouch
which hangs from strap running over the
left shoulder and attached to the belt.
| From the right shoulder is suspended his
waterproof kit bag, and on top of the kit
bag is an aluminium water bottle holding
pint and a half. To the great coat is
strapped pail Of boots and an alum
mum mess dish. Besides this every six
men carry among them the materials for
tent. which will properly shelter Them
so that it may easily be seen that the
Russian soldier is considerable Of a weight
carrier. - :s, a..,.-
The medical and surgical departments Of
the Russian army are finely developed.
There are six large and more than 800
smaller hospitals regularly connected with
the army. besides a much larger number
| of smaller laZarettos. There are more than
5000 surgeons in the army on a peace foot
ing, and most of them are men of adj
vanced training and high standing in their
profession. The hospitals and surgeons
in charge are supplied by the state with
the latest and most improved apparatus
for carrying on their work in the best
possible manner during, the necessary in
! conveniences and hardships of an active
campaign. The drugs for medical use are
prepared for the army medical department
in the form of tabloids, with the active
principles accurately dosed and put up by
the latest machinery. and the bandages
and dressings are prepared and sent out
in SteriliZed bundles from the state fac
tories which are the admiration of all the
medical men, who have seen them.
The present Russian army. as an organ
Eization. is only about thirty years old. 1t
was established by the imperial ukase of
January, 1874. by which the whole male
population Of the empire. with the excep-
ton of certain outlying districts. is made
liable to military service, from the begin
ming Of the twenty first to the end of the
forty-third year. OF this time. the first
five years are spent in the standing army
and the remainder in the militia. In every
year. there are more than million re-
crults reach thu age of military service.
Inc law makes many exceptions among
those who are liable to service, and in
ordinary years not more than quarter Of
Ia million. and, perhaps. not that many
actually join the colors, the rest going
directly into the militia. Education is one
Of the qualities which cut down the length
Of service. According to the degree of
education which he possesses young man
may have his term of actual military SER
vice reduced to three two, or even one
year 1t is from this ella IS that most Of the
officers in the reserve corps, or militia are
/ drawn.