Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-19
STRENGTH OF GERMAN ARMY
Four and One Half Million Effective
Men in the Ranks, with light
Hundred Thousand Available.


Correspondence OF the Associated Press.)
PARIS, Feb. 1.-The Germans have still
available 90 fiji the volds in their ranks
approximately 10000 men. according to a
French authority. He reaches this result
by taking e.s70OO0 as the total normal re-
cruitment IN Germany. This IL based on
the liberal proportion Of 10 per cont of
the total population. January this year
those $4,000 recruits were proportioned.
he asserts. az follows;
Effective men in the army 100000
Permanent losses during sixteen
months campaign (2o0.OO per
Men dspcnssd IRON, ss.v,cs snd s'SOOOo
needed by industries at home... 10000
Germans abroad unable to join
the army or on special missions 10000
Totai..........................s. s.sOo.OOO
The remaining 10000 are divided as
follows:
| Wounded cured ............ 10000
| Men being drilled. 10000
Contingent OF i9i7....,............... 10000
--
Grand total .,.................. $50. 900
supposing the wastage Of 10000 men
per month 20 be exact and to continue
during the winter months. he asserts that
Germany's present resources in men
would last until April 1.
Available Men Called.
Admitting that these bases and the re-
sulting calculation are only approximate
and open 10 discussion, this authority
points out In confirmation tho fact that
as FAR back as November Germany had
called up every available man excepting
the young men OF IS years OF age Of
the contingent OF 1917. and had incorpor-
ated the contingent OF 1915
Moreover. the estimate OF 100000 men
as the effective force under arms pre-
supposes that ali the units have their
full number and that all the bases have
sheir full complement. which this author
ity asserts, on the basis Of detailed relia-
bic information. Is not the case The
over-estimation of this item. he consid-
ers, offsets any over-estimation OF the
others
The deduction he makes from these cal
oulations is that Germany viii be obliged
to resort TO abnormal measures to meet
an abnormal situation. resulting from
progressive exhaustion OF its resources
In men and the continual extension OF
battle fronts and augmentation OF occu-
pied territory. He expects Germany 70
strain its resources to the utmost limit
that will. all told. give II 10000 more men
and enable II to sustain its present ef-
fort until August l. 1915
Many Are Exempt.
These three extraordinary measures
are;
First. the calling up OF men heretofore
declared By medical examiners unfit for
military services.
Second. in the calling up OF all men
between the ages OF IS and "a years.
Third. In the reduction. as far as COM
patihle with the essential needs OF the
country. Of the number OF men exempted
from military serH in order to keep
lFar industries running.
The Germans have according to thii
authority. exempted on account of ply
sical unfitness between 1900 and 5000
men . year. or no more than 10 per cen
Of the full effective force OF each con
tingent which he considers must repre-
sent a category OF men very deficien
physically. and that a rigorous revision
Of these exempted men could not civ,
more than a total OF 10000.
OF men between the ages OF IS and 81
he finds probable total Of 800. 900, In
oludinE ut and unfit. and estimates tina
only little over 20 per cent be withdrawn
from the economic life OF the country
giving a total OF 10000 men whose quaI
ity as soldiers would be most problematiC
OF the 10000 men exempted from ser
vice In order 70 continue the work o
such industries as are indispensable I
the army. he admits the possibility OF de
taehing no more than 10000 men withou
seriously compromising industries essen
tial 20 the conduct OF the war. With IN
! 10000 men TO be found by reeourse I
! these measures this authority fixes
} limit OF four additional months effor
; becoming. however. every day feeble
9 and more desperate because OF the dimir
{ ished soldierly qualities OF these men. al
{ normally recruited.