EUROPEAN ARMIES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1863, 12 February 1880, Page 3

EUROPEAN ARMIES.

Both tho Austrian and Hungarian Governments have accepted the Bills proposing to keep up for the next ton years tho war effective at 800,000. The Austrian Government says it has conscientiously studied the question whether the effective could be reduced, but has come to the conviction that in the present juncture of tho world and tho relative power of the larger European States a diminution of tho army and navy, which would entail likewise a radical reorganisation, cannot be thought of. While the army system of the Monarchy has remained stationary since 1863, all the other great Powers have, in consequence of the Franco - German war, increased their armies. However regrettable this fact, the least that can be done in view of it, to provide for the safety of the Monarchy and the maintenance of j'g position among the other Powers, is to maintain the present system, which has hitherto so well stood tho test. The Government deems this its patriotic duty, but it would equally deem it its patriotic duty to take the initiative in the reduction of tho army, even before tho end of the ten years, if on understanding were come to among the Powers to diminish their armies. The Hungarian Government, in justification of its course, gives a statement of what will be the comparative military forces of Russia, France, Germany, and Italy whtn the system now in progress is completed. Russia, it is said, already disposes of a force of 2 339,000 men ; Franco has 1.815.000, and will have 2,723 000 iu 1892 ; Italy had at the end of September, 1878, 1.375.000, and will have over 2,000,000; while Austria-Hungary has 1,194,000.