Russia's New Army.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 13, 1913:
Direct Reply Made to Germany's Armament Increase.
    ST. PETERSBURG, July 2.— In a speech before the Duma this week M. Vegineff, Chairman of the Committee on Armaments, did not hesitate to declare that "the uncalled-for and unexampled efforts which a friendly neighboring State is making to develop her military strength" demanded an explanation to be made to the Duma, and he called upon Gen. Mikhnevich to explain to the Deputies what steps Russia was taking to restore the disturbed balance of power.
    Gen. Mikhnevich stated that the activity of the military department was now, as ever, directed to maintaining the army's readiness for war. During the last few years, and especially last year, they had given evidence of their care by the lavish building of fortresses. It had been decided to provide the howitzer divisions of the army with new howitzers, and the infantry with machine guns.
    Proceeding, the Chief of the General Staff announced the measures which the Ministry of War had taken with the object of facilitating the rapid mobilization and transport of the army, as well as of perfecting the intelligence and aviation branches. The Ministry had, in accordance with the wishes of the Duma, gone into the question of the building of roads on the western frontier of the empire, and a plan for the construction of a network of railways for strategic purposes was being elaborated. This had been affected by the happenings in the Balkans, which had forced all nations to test the condition of their military power.
    The Ministry, said Gen. Mikhnevich, had taken measures to provide everything necessary to secure the army's readiness for war. The military department had already drawn up a bill providing for a considerable strengthening of the Russian military forces — the formation of new bodies of infantry and cavalry and other arms, as well as the reorganization of the field artillery in the direction of the increase of the number of guns of the field artillery of the army corps.
    All these measures, added the Chief of the General Staff, imposed great sacrifices of men and money on the Fatherland. The military department was thankful to the Duma for granting this year's demands and for giving the means to meet the fresh demands. In the future, however, yet further and greater grants would have to be asked for. The Ministry for War hoped that the Duma would co-operate with the military department in strengthening the army so as to enable the whole strength of the country to be developed for the defence of the Fatherland and the protection of peace.
    In reply to specific questions asked in the course of the debate. Gen. Mikhnevich said that an aviation department with dirigibles and aeroplanes had been attached to every army corps. Designs had also been accepted for dreadnought dirigibles, each provided with machine guns, bomb-throwers, and wireless apparatus. There were to be six of this type of airship, which, he added, would surpass anything in the world.