The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo." MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1878.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2502, 1 April 1878, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo."

MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1878.

Iter tire wrote th»t needs iesUtMCfc for the fetve la the distance. AMiikMtmo* Ha********.

The resolution of the British Government to call out the army reserve has Recited some inquiry as to the actual constitution and strength of this force. In another column we extract from " Chambers' Encyclopaedia" an article on the constitution of the Army Reserve, but we may introduce here the very latest statistics shewing the strength of the British army and reserves, from which it will be seen that England can muster immediately a very considerable force of trained men —more available, however, for defensive than offensive operations. Probably not more than 100,000 Briti-h troops could be got together as an army of operation for a foreign expedition, immediately after the declaration of war, but there is practically no limit to the extent to which this number might be increased during the progress of a protracted war. The following figures are taken from " Whitaker's Almanac" for 1878 :— Regular Army— The total men, including staff and militia forces on the home and colonial establishment, exclusive of those in India, is 133,720 Militia— Total men and officers, 134,500, from which 19,500 ifidoductodon account of possible absentees, leaving .. 115,000 Yeomanry— Officers 282, rank and file 14,518. mak- • ing a total of 14,830; from which 3,230 is deducted on account of probable absence, leaving a nett total of 11,600 Volunteers— Artillery volunteers 32,393, light horse, engineers, mounted rifles, and rifle volunteers 140,376, makine: the total number of efficient volunteers 174,241 Army Reserve total 16,000 Indian army—Europeans 64,985 —Native 125,123 ~ —Native foice for frontier service and police duty 190,000 Total 830,669 All the Indian army is officered by Europeans. To-day's dispatches shew that the end is rapidly approaching. Russia has demanded that the Porte shaH'order the British fleet from the Sea of Marmora. England refuses to go unless the Russian troops remove from the environ. of Constantinople. The next question is, will the Turks attempt to force the withdrawal of the fleet, and if so what will be the consequence ? From our Suez telegrams it will Be seen that the British Government notified the Porte that the fleet would go to Constantinople in spite of Turkey, and Admiral Hornby was prepared to force the passage of the Dardanelles. England is just as little likely to retire under the direction of the Porte, and some little difficulty will be experienced ill putting her out. The matter has gone so far that England cannot draw back with honour, and no party however opposed to the past Conservative policy would wish his country to abate one jot of her traditional honour. Russia must knuckle down and withdraw some of her extravagant demands, or England will fight. England will always be found united whenever her own honour and interests are at stake, and wo believe the country will unanimously prefer war to a pusillanimous exhibition after a long display of bravado. Flushed with victory aud having a well-seasoned army already in the field, Russia shews no disposition to withdraw, and runs a fair risk of losing what she has gained in her late successful campaign.