The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-04-02

the backbone, indeed, of the Russian
empire itself, is simple, humble Ivan
Ivanovitch," the Tommy Atkins of
Russia, says the Chicago Chronicle.
The peasantry class in Russia consti-
tutes 90 per cent Of the entire popula-
ton of the country. Out of this excel
lently solid raw material the Russian
government has created fighting
force which us regards it's numbers,
its cost and its capacity for rough work
and great endurance has no superior on
earth.
Now the Russian pcasantry pass
their days in struggle for existence
so severe that only the strongest sur
vive. This is why the Russian soldiers
are so hardy, so patient and so con-
tented. Everyday life in rural Russia
means such hardship, such cruelty that
military service, We're it not for the loss
if individual freedom, would be con-
sidered by the peasants as a pleasant
break from their monotonous, pleas
ureless existence
The story of Ivan Ivanovitch's" ca
rcer during his soldering days is n
simple tale. Until he reaches the age
of II the peasant usually passes his
time in agricultural pursuts-with n
good many Saints 1lTys and holidays
thrown in to relieve the dullncss Of
country life. Every male member of
every Russian family is liable to mill
tary service with the chief exception
Of one bread-winncr who must not be
younger than IS or older than 55.
The largest and finest contingents Of
recruits come from the country. The
towns are not able to yield the required
number Of physically fit men for scrv-
ice per 1000 of the population for the
physique of the town-bred Russian is
far below the standard of the country
men. Thus it happens that in manu-
featuring centcrs recruits are chosen
who, strictly speaking, should be in
cluded among the exempt on account
of their physical weaknesses. The
weaker of the townsmcn who are So
lccted for soldiers are usually allowed a
years grace for growth; at the end of
the year, if their height and chest
measurements are still below standard,
they are rejected for good.
The basis Of organization is universal
service for all males between II and
43 years Of age. Service with the col
ors lasts five years DracticaIly only
FOUR, after which thirteen years in the
reserve and four in the militia COM
pletes the obligation.
The yearly contingent supplied by the
general population of youths at q be-
ing more than is required for annual
recruitment, service is settled by lot.
All not taken for the active army pass
into the opolchenie, or militia, which
is essentially the whole nation in arms.
The militia is divided into two
"bans." The first "ban" is used to
strengthen the standing army; it's jun
ior classes are kept under military con-
troll, trained for six weeks annually.
The second "ban" is made up of those
freed from active service or men not
quite fit physically.
When placed on q war footing the
whole army falls in the following cate
gories, interdependent for expansion
and reinforcement: First, the field
troops; second, reserve troops; third,
depot troops; fourth, fortress troops:
fifth, local troops; sixth, the opolchenie,
or militia
The infantry is composed Of, first,
200 regular regiments, each Of four
battalions. There are twelve guards,
sixteen grenadier and 1S1 "army" or
line regiments. The peace strength of
a regiment is seventy officers and 1887
men, twenty-five horses and no wheeled
vehicles. In war the total is raised.
The Russian uniform is green, with
n dark green fiat cloth cap. The great
coat is gray, reaching half way be-
tween knee and ankle. In summer
wllite linen blouse and trousers are
worn. Equipment consists for each