The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

478 RUSSIA IN EUROPE.war. Before 1874 it was recruited by conscription amongst the peasantry andartisans of the towns, besides volunteers and the sons of soldiers. But accordingto the new law all able-bodied men twenty-one years old are bound to militaryservice, without the option of substitution. The use of the rod is abolishedPig.25.—XlKOLAYET AXD THE BlG LlMAX.Scale 1 : 574,000.99 4Cr UofP.except in the disciplinary corps.The normal period of service isfifteen years, of which six arc inthe active army and nine in thereserve.But the population beingtoo great to need all availablerecruits, about two-thirds of themare at once dismissed to the militia,while the rest, chosen by lot, areretained in the active service onlytillthe cadres are completed, whenthey receive their conge for anindefinite period. In the reservethey are bound to serve only duringwar-time, but must present themselvesyearly at the nearest campfor a few days' exercise. Fewregiments except those of theGuards are complete, although ofthe 650,000 yearly recruits about200,000 are retained for activeservice. The Don, Ural, Terek,Kuban, and Siberian Cossackshave preserved their special militaryorganization, each of their" armies " furnishing a certainnumber of fully equipped regimentsalways ready to take thefield at ten days' notice. In 187753- E ofG.the European Cossacks in theactive service numbered 40,000,which on the first call might beraised to 100,000.In the same year the wholearmy numbered over 1,000,000, but it varies from 710,000 to 1,200,000 accordingto circumstances. Till recently the mortality was excessive, but since 1872 hasbeen much reduced by improved sanitary arrangements, and a more vigilantcontrol over the army contractors. In time of peace it now amounts only to1 per cent., and even in war the proportion has been considerably lesscued bymore efficient ambulance and hospital service.