p. 187 | The Armies of Europe by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1870

The Armies of Europe.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

[THE following figures show what the spirit of war is doing in Europe. It is a dark picture for those who soon expect the millennium and reign of the Prince of peace upon earth. It looks more like preparing for the battle of the day of God. D. M. CANRIGHT.]

According to the estimates of a French collector of statistics, the armies of Europe are composed of 2,557,528 soldiers in active service, and 671,393 drill reserves. They are distributed among the several nations as follows: North Germany, 421,528 active soldiers, 298,113 reserves 95,000 reserves of the second ban. Austria, 540,000 of whom 240,000 are Hungarians; she has no reserve. Russia, 800,000 drilled soldiers; no reserves. Italy, 396,000 active soldiers; 173,250 drilled reserves; France 400,000 effectives, 200,000 reserves; its projected army will consist of 400,000 effectives, 400,000 reserves, 400,000 militia, capable of garrison duty. In Prussia, the whole able-bodied population, in France, five-eighths of the same class have received military instruction. It is calculated that the highest number of able-bodied soldiers between twenty and forty which any State can yield is ten per cent, of its total census. The highest number ever yielded has been but five per cent, or but half the maximum.—Union Hand Book 1870.