Some Facts about the Russian

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5158, 29 July 1885, Page 2

Some Facts about the Russian

The Eusssian army is, I believe, the largest in the world. Erery year 210.C30 young men between the ages of twenty and twenty-four are chosen from every part of the vast Empire to serve their country. They have to serve fifteen years —six in actual service and nine in reserve. The whole strength of the Russian army would therefore be 1,260,003 men in actual service, and 1,890,0C0 reserre. But these figures show only those who are , serving and have served ; there are many thousands more placed among the reserve not included in the above figures, but forming a kind of Militia, which in them- ; selves are quite a formidable army, In order to show how they are chosen, it will be necessary to give a short account of the laws relating to the enlisting of soldiers. Every Kussian upon reaching the age of twenty-one, must appear before the military authorities in order to be examined by a medical man with regard to his fitness for military service. If not strong enough be is sent home, but has to appear for three successive years. If, after appearing three times, he should be .pronounced too weak, he goes free. All the rest who are pronounced fit for military service are next called and lots drawn. Those drawing black tickets must enlist; the rest form the Militia. This is done because there are always more young men than the State require. As above stated, the State requires 210,000 each year. And every town and village has to furnish a certain number of soldiers, the number being fixed by the Government, and, of course, depending upon the size and population of the town. Tims a large town may have to furnish 500 every year, and a small village only about a dozen. It is said that every place could furnish quite 20 per cent, more than are required; these, amounting to about 200,000, form the Militia. Then we have to add Circassians and Cossacks, who make the military profession their principal trade, and we find that Russia can command an army of nearly 4,000,000. —Cassell's Baturday Journal.