24 JANUARY 1874, Page 2

The Emperor of Russia has issued (January 13th) the final

decree rendering all Russians liable to the conscription, and abolishing the old right of exemption by payment of a sum of money. The conscription will be by drawings, and those drawn will be required to do six years' service in quarters and nine in reserve. Educated men are to be allowed some -privileges not yet specified. It is believed that this order will bring the Russian Army up to 2,000,000 of men, and enable her to throw 500,000 across the border, but it does I not, of course, provide the cash necessary to clothe, arm, feed, and pay all those vast hordes. No additional provision appears to have been made for officers, and good as the men are, the Army is no match for the German force. General Kaufmann can take a small force splendidly to Khiva ; but the army re- quired to face the Indian garrison, either in Candahar or Persia, could scarcely be fed.