The conditions affecting unfavorably the strength of the Volunteers have been given above. The establishment is 346,450, and the actual strength by the latest return (Jan. 1, 1903) 250,990, leaving 95,460 wanting to complete. The enrolled strength has been as follows since the establishment of the force:

'60,

119,146;

'61,

161,239;

'62,

157,818;

'63,

162,935;

'64,

170,544;

'65,

178,484;

'66,

181,565;

'67,

187,864;

'68,

199,194;

'69,

195,287;

70,

193,893;

71,

169.608;

72,

178,279;

73,

171,937;

74,

175,387;

'75,

181,080;

'76,

185,501;

77,

193,026;

'78,

203,213;

79,

206,265;

'80,

206,537;

'81,

208,308;

'82,

207,336;

'83,

209,365;

'84,

215,015;

'85,

224,012;

'86,

226,752;

'87,

228,038;

'88,

226,469;

'89,

224,021;

'90

221,048;

'91,

222,046;

'92,

225,423;

'93,

227,741;

'94,

231,328;

'95,

231,704;

'96

236,059;

'97,

231,796;

'98,

230,678;

'99,

229,854;

1900,

277,628;

1901, 288,476; 1902, 268,550. The later return mentioned above (250,990) shows a further falling off of 17,560, and it is believed that the diminution has not ceased. The shortage of officers on Jan. 1st, 1903, was 1895.