Conscripts are chosen by ballot at the yearly so-called “Appels,” but this is easily evaded by either paying a substitute, or by paying an exemption of £64, in consideration of which the Government provides a substitute of its own finding.
Organisation.
The Belgian Army is formed as follows:
The Infantry numbers 4 Divisions, or 9 Brigades of 2 or 3 regiments each, i.e.:
| 1 | Regiment of Carbineers. |
| 1 | Regiment of Grenadiers. |
| 3 | Regiments of Rifles. |
| 14 | Regiments of Infantry of the Line. |
The Carbineer Regiment consists of 4 Active and 2 Depôt battalions; the remainder of 3 Active and 1 Depôt battalions, the latter being only skeleton battalions. This makes altogether 58 Active and 20 Depôt battalions.
The Cavalry numbers 2 Divisions of 2 brigades of 2 regiments each, i.e.:—
| 2 | Regiments of Light Dragoons. |
| 2 | Regiments of Guides (similar to Hussars), and |
| 4 | Regiments of Lancers, |
each regiment numbering 4 Active and 1 Depôt squadrons—Grand total, 8 regiments, forming 32 Active and 8 Depôt squadrons.
