_Russian experiences in Manchuria._ “At first _volleys_ by formed bodies of troops were attempted, but later fire at will was used. In the latter, the men were forbidden to hurry, were instructed to bring their pieces down to the ‘ready,’ and, whenever it was possible to see the enemy--who was advancing by rushes--to change their rear sight elevations at the whistle signal of their commander.... When at a distance from the enemy the men remained cool and fired faultless volleys. When the enemy came closer the volleys deteriorated. The Russians used only fire at will at ranges under 800 paces. This enabled the men to fire on individual hostile skirmishers and to place the boldest out of action.” SOLOVIEV. =Austria.= _Volleys_ are employed, as a rule, only by bodies in close order, for the purpose of finding the range, and for firing upon targets which appear suddenly at long range and which will probably be visible for only a short time. Fire at will is the principal kind of fire used, the rate of fire being increased or decreased by the men according to the existing situation. When necessary, the leaders should regulate the fire; but this should only be done in exceptional cases as the men are apt to increase rather than diminish the rate of fire (“Rapid fire”). The _maximum rate of fire_ is to be employed: “In _attack_, for the purpose of gaining a superiority of fire at short range; in _defense_, for the purpose of warding off an impending assault. It is moreover to be used to inflict the greatest possible losses on a defeated enemy as long as he is within effective range; and, finally, in fire surprises, repulse of cavalry attacks, and in rencontres with the enemy.” =France.= The French _Lebel_ rifle has a cylindrical magazine situated under the stock and has a capacity of eight cartridges which have to be loaded singly. As a rule, _fire with counted cartridges_ is employed (_feu à cartouches comptées_) for the purpose of obtaining a “burst of fire” (_rafale_). The _rafale_ consists of firmly controlled, concentrated, collective fire. Fire at will (_feu à volonté_) is also used, eight rounds per minute being fired at the short ranges. The rapidity of this fire at will may be increased up to 12 rounds per minute by employing the cartridges in the magazine (_feu à répétition_). One minute is required to fill the magazine. Volleys are to be employed in night combats and when it becomes necessary to control the men. In exceptional cases individual men are directed to fire. =England and Switzerland.= The only fire employed is fire at will. The rapidity of this fire varies according to the nature of the target and the range. =Italy.= Fire at will (in close order in two or four ranks). =Japan and Russia.= (See p. 157, supra). The Rate of Fire.