3-034-623 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketch in the Austrian camp at Bruck: evening amusements, 1871. 'View of '...a scene at the camp of exercise formed within the last few weeks at Brück, in Styria, for the purposes of discipline and training in the Austrian army. The Emperor Francis Joseph takes great interest in the personal superintendence of its manoeuvres, and has visited the camp twice a week. Though Austria and Prussia, as appears by the recent friendly interview of their respective Sovereigns at Gastein, are now on very good terms with each other, it has been thought needful by the Austrian Government, since the extraordinary achievements of the German armies in France, to effect great reforms in the military system of Austria. The military expenditure has therefore been augmented in the present year from less than eight millions sterling to ten millions and a half. An increase both of the cavalry and artillery has been made; and arrangements have been made for expeditiously calling out the reserves of infantry when the army is to be placed on the war footing. It is to be hoped that no such emergency will arise for many years to come'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.