The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-03
SIX MILLION MEN
 ARE UNDER ARMS
 IN B|G NATIONS
Germany Alone Has Smaller Army Than America. China Has the Largest
 and France Is Second
By Associated Press

Washington, October 2.-Active armies of the 14 most important na- tions of the world today include approximately 6,00O,000 men accord ing to figures obtained here and re- garded as reasonably correct. With the inclusion of land armaments in the agenda of the forthcoming com ference on limitation of armaments, these are the figures with which it is expected the assembled commits sioners will have to deal
 While China stands first among the nations in this summary of diers actually under arms about Sep tember last, being credited with ,S10.000 active troops. France is far ahead among nations not distressed by civil strife in the number of men with the colors. The French army strength is placed at 1.O34,0O0 men. the British empire standing next with 74o,500 and Germany last with 100, 000. The United States stands thirteenth with 149,0O0 men in the regular army, exceeding only Ger many, while Italy has 350,000 and Japan 300.000 active troops
 Russia Ras 53S,OOO
 Figures for other powers include Russia, 5ss.ooo: Poland, 45o.ooo, Greece. 25o.oOo:, Spain, 25s.O00; Swift zerland 10000; Turkey, 152.000; Czecho- Slovakia. 150.000
 In considering problems connected with attempted reduction of armed forces ashore, 1t is to be assumed, however. that the Washington con- ferees will of necessity take into con- sideration many other factors than the forces actually under arms in computing the army strength of any nation flor purposes of discussion. Reserve systems, the extent to which reserves have been organized for quick mobilization, and the degree of training they have received all would be reviewed by technical ex- perts. In many countries some form of universal military service obliga- tion rests upon the entire male popu- lation Japan. Italy, France, Greece. Czecho- Slovakia, Poland. Switzer- land and Spain all have in force such laws. while among British colonies, South Africa. New Zealand and Aus tralia, have similar enactmente.
 Changes Army Status
 By these factors the relative fig ures take on an even wider discrep- ancy than when national army strength is viewed from the stand point of active armies alone. France, for instance, is estimated to have beyond her million men In arms. 4.27O.000 reservists, the majority Of them trained as a result of war ex- perience and the whole body included as highly organized reserve sys- tenn that will keep the nations fight ing personnel at that point. Italy 350. 900 fighting troops are backed by 4.G27 GOO reserves in an equal state of preparedness. and Japan 30O,0O0 by another army of 1,S45.00 trained and equipped to take the field on short notice.
 The United States has at present nothing in the way of organized re- serves behind the regular army ex- eept the national guard, the move ncnt for organization Of voluntary reserve having just been started
 Still another angle of the army raduction problem which may come 10 at the conference is the prepara- ts on of active and organized reserve bersonnel to- the man power or the as ton. the available number of males .N fighting age in the population. Tn Ff ance. Italy and some other coun- sr!es. virtually everyi male At for su,ny service already either is in the active army or has definite place Fl 1e organized and trained reserve.