Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1875 — European Armies. [ARTICLE]

European Armies.

While there is so much speculation being indulged in regarding the possibility of a general -war in Europe, it may be interesting to note the condition or the several countries immediately concerned, as regards their individual strength in the matter of troops and equipment for service in the battle-field. Russia has at this moment under arms 730,000 soldiers in active drill, 130,000 men in garrison, 80,000 of the local force, 306,000 of the reserve, 257,000 in depots and 70,000 Cossacks enrolled for contingency; or,' in all, 1,463,000 men ready for the bugle call. Germany has been actively organizing a great force, and the imperial army is closely computed at 900,000 men in arms, ready for war at an hour’s notice. The* nation has also arranged for a reserve of Landsturm (veterans) amounting to 400,POO men, all of whom have seen War. France has been bending her energies to keep pace in her war-preparations with Germany and has now an army oi 625,000 in Die highest condition of discipline, outside of the new territorial armies, which are in good shape and prepared for co-operation with the reorganized national forces. Thus it will be seen that the three great “ uneasy” powers are “ in peace prepared for war” more thoroughly, perhaps, than any three great nations ever were before. All of them have accumulated the best war materials, and are evidently prepared for a struggle that could not be anything if not long and terrible. England is in a formidable condition, also, but, while the subject of recruitment has been much argued in Parliament and by the press, no extra effort to increase her forces has been made. —Chicago Journal. France is rather astonished at the extension of silk manufactures in the United States. It will be more so in the course of time. Silk worms are of no use; we are only waiting for a machine to take the mulberry tree bodily and weave it into the finest kind of moires antique. Not until then will our belles be satisfied. When silk gets cheaper they Will be able to wrap up in a sufficient number of yards.. The whisky ring has received a “ staggering” blow. —New Haven Journal.