23 JULY 1870, Page 2

Statements as to the comparative strength of the two fighting

Powers are of little importance in such a war, but there is a dis- position in this country to exaggeration on the subject. If the Landsturm were called out, Prussia has, of course, any number of men ; but no Government not in extremis would resort to that expedient, and of men actually or potentially in motion Prussia has not quite a million. The beat account we have seen gives 394,00) infantry as actually moving; 145,000 reserves, who will be in motion by Sunday ; 143,000 landwehr fit for garrison duty ; and 170,000 South-Germans,—in all, 852,000 men. Add, 98,000 cavalry and a heavy force of Artillery—some 2,050 guns—and we come nearly up to the million, and need not at first make a deduction of more than 10 per cent. for invalids or others out of the calculation. The French Army, on the other hand, numbers 510,000 infantry, about 50,000 cavalry, and adequate artillery, or 560,000 men, supported by 300,000 of the Garde Mobile. Allowing for Algeria, Rome, the great garrisons, and other necessary detachments, France can hardly have more than 330,000 men of all arms in actual fighting order.