The Armies of the World.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 1, Issue 49, 19 October 1870, Page 7

The Armies of the World.

We publish below a statement of the "armies of the world," from a San Francisco exchange, which will give onr readers something of an idea of the gigantic nature of the struggle which would take place in Europe, should all the great powers be drawn into the war now existing between France and Prussia ; an event which is not at all unlikely.

At the present day the standing armies of the world are larger than they have been since the great wars of the first Napoleon. The armies of the United States now number 50,000 men in all. For the extent of our territory, this is the smallest army in the world ; and we have reason to congratulate ourselves upon the fact. The cost of our army is 8100,000,000 or nearly 82,000,000 per'lOOO men. The army of France has been fixed at 750,000 men in the "active army," and 550,000 in the " passive," the latter being named the National Guard Mobile. A contingent of 100,000 men is annually available to recruit the army, The British army numbers about 200,000 men. The bulk of this army is at home, Ireland absorbing about 25,000 good troops. Of the Colonies or foreign possessions, India takes the largest body of troops, the Dominion of Canada next, Australia next.

The Prussian army numbers about some 600.000 men.

The Italian army now numbers some. 215,000 men, and is a very effective one. In one of its divisions, the Bersaglieri onifle battalions, it excels even the French army, whose Zouaves are supposed to he the first light infantry in the world.

The Austrian army numbers about 700,000 men ; its cavalry is said to be very fine. The Government breeds its own horses, and thus secures good mounts.

The Russian army numbers aliout 800,000 men ; it could be quickly increased to 1,200,000 in time of war. It is spread all over the empire, from the Baltic to tilt Caucasus.

The Spanish army is small, tint exceeding 80,000 men ; but it is very well clothed and disciplined. It is also receiving breech loaders.

The numbers maintained in the standing Armies of civilised nations is not less than 3,000,000. All these vast numbers are snatched away from u e'ul industrbti, and for the costly sirnuimpnts they n«iuir<>, i.H it or.'t U>o large a rolicfi fr>tr*'!