GERMANY'S ARMY BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 76, 31 March 1913, Page 4

GERMANY'S ARMY BILL.

The. terms of the Army Bill just laid before the Reichstag have : been generally anticipated throughout Europe, but, though the predictions of the experts have .been no more than verified, the ■character of this measure ie certainly sensational. it seems that <Jermany has determined once for all to make her position in Burope from the military point of view unassailable, and she is prepared to put' torch most strenuous efforts to attain that end. At a moment when the Jeading politicians of all parties in England are united in repudiating anything that even remotely resembles "conscription/ the Germans cling to "universal service , " as thr only (inn foundation for national strength. But the existing military system, stringent as it is, is not adequate to Germany's need. Therefore, the Army estimates are to be increased by nearly £10.000.000 a year, and a special outlay of £.72,000,000 in addition is contemplated. This huge sum is to be raised ■by special taxation on property; and at the same time an appeal 13 to 'be made to the minor States of the Federation which constitutes the Empire to increase their contributions to the Imperia-1 funds. All this, of course, indicates the most exceptional and extraordinary character of the crisis which Germany apparently believes that she has to face. The reference to the war in the Balkans and the shifting Inf the balance of power ominous enough, in view of thp aggressive policy now bfiirnr pursued by the other members of the Triple Alliance in South-Eastern Europe. But the real danger to Cer-m-anv lies nearer home. The revival of patriotism and military enthusiasm in France, and the determined efforts the French Government, backed up 'by a jjretit outburst of public feeling, ie making to strengthen the French army and . pruard the frontiers effectually asaitwt any attack, are quite sufficient to account for the apprehensive way in which the Germans are watching the French just now. But '■oirMflerinrr the bmw burden of taxation for military and naval purposes that Germany now supports, it i" quite certain that the Kawr and his Ministers would not risk laying such dristie proposal.;; a< these before the Reichstag unl-eso t.hev thought that the emergency justified them: and whether their convictions on this rtoint arc sound or not. thpre can be no doubt that the new Army Bill accentuates and agarav-ates the precarious nature of the international situation just now.