In April we hear of great appropriations in Austria both for the army and the navy. Official estimates place the strength of the army at 390,250 men, but a German critic points out that of these 60,000 are Landwehr, or reserves, and ought not to be counted. There is to be a yearly increase of 31,300 recruits, but the measure is not to take full effect until 1918. For the navy, 427,000,000 kronen are appropriated, of which 4,000,000 are to go for military air-ships; but the expenditures are to be extended over a period of five years. It has been Austria’s fate throughout the centuries always to be several years behind.
Rear Guard in Ambush
In June, finally, we learn that Russia has set aside for military expenditures in 1914 alone the monstrous sum of 2,500,000,000 marks, and by 1916 will have added 400,000 men—more than Austria’s whole force—to her standing army, which will amount, in the winter months at least, to 2,200,000 men. “Characteristic,” writes the Tägliche Rundschau in commenting on it, “is the strengthening of the western boundary-strip and the improvement of the strategic network of railroads in order to hasten the forwarding of troops.” On the other hand, attention is drawn in the Danziger Zeitung to the fact that Russia has at the moment in the Baltic but four battle-ships, all old-fashioned, although by 1915 it is hoped to have ready four dreadnaughts.
We shall hear much in the next few months of infantry and cavalry, of field artillery and foot artillery, of pioneers, of Verkehrstruppen or communication troops, and of the Train or transport division. I therefore preface this section with the definition of these terms given by a staff officer in the newest book of instructions for the one-year volunteers.
Artillery Patrol
The infantry represent the main troops of the army. Their value lies in their endurance when marching, in their correct shooting and in their brave dashing against the enemy. The infantry is armed with the ninety-eight gun and bayonet; the sword-knot non-commissioned officers (Portepeeunteroffiziere), battalion-drummers and ambulance-men carry revolvers.
