Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1878 — ENGLAND’S ARMAMENT. [ARTICLE]

ENGLAND’S ARMAMENT.

The Military Forces of Great Britain. [From the New York Tribune.] The military forces of Great Britain, as now organized, are composed of (1) the standing army, (2) the first-class army and militia reserve, (3) the militia, (4) the volunteers, and (5) the secondclass army reserve. The regular or standing army—about 132,000 strong—corresponds in organization and duties with that of the smaller regular army in this country. The first-class army and military reserve have no counterpart in the American system. They are composed respectively of men who have served three years or thereabouts in the regular army and the militia. These men now form part of the civil population, but, as soon as Parliament sanctions the royal order, they will be expected to repair to the brigade depot at which they are enrolled. The militia—Bs,ooo strong—corresponds in some respects to the National Guard of this State, but the discipline is nearly as stringent as in the regular army. The militia is only intended for home defense, and cannot be sent out of the United Kingdom. The members of this branch of the service are paid a small sum annually. The volunteers—--180,000 strong—correspond more closely to the State troops in this country than the militia. The regiments are composed mainly of young men engaged in business occupations, and they are commanded by officers selected by themselves and approved by the Government. The second-class army reserve—lo,ooo strong—is composed of old pensioners, who are now off duty, but who are expected to repair to military depots and serve when called out. In a recent article on the British army, Sir Garnet Wolseley gives interesting information which throws light on the contemplated measures of the Government. “According to our existing military system,” he says, “upon war being declared the militia is called out, and hands over its reserve at once to the line, who, together with our firstclass army reserve, would give us about 40,000 good men to bring up our line battalions to war strength. Our secondclass army rese.rve, consisting of old soldiers, although past the prime of life, would supply us with about 15,000 bayonets quite fit for garrison duty. The four companies of regular infantry now at each of the seventy brigade depots would at once be formed into cadres of seventy depot battalions, and begin recruiting loc Jly. To them would be dispatched all tho men who last year joined the battalions it is intended to engage in active service.” Regarding the forces which England may call into requisition, Sir Garnet Wolseley makes an interesting statement: “At no previous period,” he says, “of our history have we ever been so strong, in a military sense, as at present. In 1854 we were very weak in field artillery ; the military force in these islands was under 70,000 men, and there was no reserve whatever beyond some pensioners, who were too old for field service. Were war declared to-morrow, about 400,000 drilled men would fall into line if required, supported by 372 field guns, manned and horsed by the Royal Artillery. That number would roughly be made up as follows : Standing army (at home). 99.006 Army and militia reserve 40 o<’o Militia 85,000 Volunteers 180,000 Second-class army reserve 10,000 Total 414,000