Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/135

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ARMY AND NAVY.
99

into the Federal Exchequer from this source; and Würtemburg, like Bavaria, has the supervision of her posts and telegraphs, though in a more restricted way.


Army and Navy.

1. Army.

By the Charter of 1867, the Prussian obligation to serve in the army was extended to the whole Northern Federation: 'every North-German is liable to service, and no substitution is allowed.' The strength of the Federal Army on the peace footing is settled upon the basis of 1 per cent, of the population, and the Prussian military legislation is applied to all the states of the Federation. The annual budget of the Federal army is established upon the basis of 225 thaler or 33 £ 15 s. per soldier on active service, which amount is to be paid out of the customs' receipts, and should those receipts not be sufficient, the deficiency must be provided for by means of a tax in proportion to the population of each state.

The treaties of November 1870, sanctioned by the Diet of the realm December 10, 1870, introduced several important changes in the command and administration of the armies of the Empire. Under these treaties Baden and Hesse handed over their armies entirely to Prussia, conforming in everything to the Federal military organization, and were placed under Federal command in time of peace as of war. Würtemberg consented to accept the Federal organisation and military laws, as also a Federal commander-in-chief, but retains the command of her troops in time of peace. Bavaria only introduced the Federal organisation, but retained her own military laws, and, moreover, stipulated for the special distinction that the King remains commander of his army during the continuance of peace. The troops of all the states have to swear fidelity to their own sovereign as well as to the Emperor, the Bavarian oath confining, however, fidelity to the latter in time of war. In the north, as well as in Baden and Hesse, the commanders of the troops of every state, as also the commanders of all fortresses, are appointed by the Emperor; all other officers are appointed by the local sovereigns, but generals and officers acting as generals must be confirmed by the Emperor. No decision as to the special organisation, strength, and mode of formation of the armed forces of the former South German States had been come to at the end of 1870.

The army of the former North German Confederation comprised, in June 1870, 118 regiments of infantry, 76 regiments of cavalry, 26 regiments of artillery, 13 battalions of engineers, and as many of train, contributed as follows by the different states:—

H 2