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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 154, 5 August 1914, Page 6

" Kemarkable is the word' that best fits an article bj* that conspicuous publicist, Hilaire Belloc, on the full meaning of the German military policy initiated early last year. When, in pursuance of that policy, Germany decided that her army should be ultimately increased by more than a third, Mr Belloc —who termed the movement a "military revolution'' —predicted a few weeks later that the balance of power in Europe would be seriously menaced, nay, even destroyed, by a sudden war. His words are almost prophetic: "There is the peril. It is probable that the disaster, if it should come, will come as a perfect surprise for those whom it most concerns. The .surprise may be not merely inconvenient, but fatal."' Prior to last year, Germany (the writer points out), while strong enough to prevent war, was not strong enough to wage it with a real hope of success. So Germany refused the definite challenge thrown out as the result of the Agadir intrigue. Spurred on by the fact of France's undoubted superiority in the air, those who governed Germany suddenly;. decided to increase enormously the "armed effective'' of the nation. They saw France preparing to return to universal service for three years, and, risking a financial plunge, the German military party brought the new military policy into being. With a convincing discernment Mr Belloc, commenting-on the tremendous financial strain that the scheme entailed, saw in it a temporary expedient for a vital imminent purpose—"it is not the gesture of a man who establishes a defence, it is the gesture of a man who, anticipates his reserves of strength with the object of delivering an immediate blow . .... . The challenge to the French, is of a kind that does nofr admit of delay." To-day the world eau bear witness that that "immediate blow" has been delivered with a dramatic swiftness and certainty. Withholding a formal declaration of war, the Germans have mobilised on the French frontier, have made war, and have not scrupled to violate in other ways The Hague treaty. The world is in a thrill with expectancy and excitement. Hilaire Belloc's conclusions, arrived at over twelve months ago, have been confirmed to the full by the German challenge.