TRANSLATION 
OF A ROYAL DECREE PASSED RECENTLY IN THE 
ITALIAN 1’AIil.lAMKM'. 
BY CAPTAIN MAYNARD WOLFE, R.A. 
The accompanying translation of a Royal decree, passed recently in 
the Italian Parliament, may be of some interest at a time when the 
re-organization of their armies is the subject of much consideration 
throughout nearly all the nations of Europe. 
This alteration appears to have been made principally with a view to 
economy, as may be seen by reference to the annexed table, under the head 
“ Transition State/” It should be remembered, however, that Italy contains 
a large number of young men, who from want of occupation or idleness, are 
ever ready to join in any expedition; and as the “ Camicii Rosse 99 * of last year, 
did actually nothing towards the result of the campaign, it is believed that 
many who would have joined any irregular force of that description will now 
be induced to join the army, hence that reduction in figures of the war 
strength, exists purely on paper, more especially as the war footing was never 
actually maintained at its strength. This re-organization has given rise to 
a large number of articles, pamphlets, and reviews; and the general feeling 
expressed both in them, and in conversation, appears to be rather averse to 
the change as proposed to take effect on the 1st January, 1868. 
Victor 'Emanuel II. by the grace of God , and by the will of 
the Kingdom of Italy. 
I. Recruiting. 
Art. 1.—' The decree made public by the law of the 25th March, 1854, and 
which took effect from the 1st July, 1854, relative to the ranks of the first 
class of the army, who were called upon to serve for eight years in the active 
army and three years in garrison corps, (Art. 2) but whose term of service 
might expire on the completion of the 5th year, is repealed, (Aiit. 3) and the 
following exception is made to the terms of this decree :— 
{a) In the cavalry such soldiers of the 1st class as have enlisted for ten 
years in the active army, their period ceases with a service of five years. 
[vol. VI.] 
* Red shirts, or Gtaribaldians. 
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