GERMANY'S STRENGTH.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 282, 27 November 1919, Page 7

GERMANY'S STRENGTH.

1 • THREE ARMED FORCES. 200,000 REGULAR TROOPS. LARGE -CITIZEN PORCE. (By Cable—Press Association. -Copyright.! LONDON, November 22 (delayed). Discussing the recent cstimnte.s of Germany's armed strength, an authority who has just returned from Germany stated that there were three categories of armed forces in Germany. First there j was the national army, 100,000 strong, las fixed by the Versailles Peace Conference. Secondly, there was the Public Defence Corps", estimated at 100,000, which is centred in the cities and .is tantamount to a permanent police force, all its members being former soldiers who live in barracks. Thirdly, there is : a Citizens' Defence Corps, consisting of j volunteers, which sprang into existence as a result of the Spartacist troubles. Its numbers cannot be calculated, but it is known that the corps is well armed and officered, and undoubtedly the reactionaries count on its support." Tbe force possesses organisations in the rural dis--1 tricts as well as in the towns. Stocks of arms and ammunition have been sent broadcast over Germany for emergencies, notably in Pomerania, where every country house is an arsenal. j The authority added that what Berlin is most impressed with is the growth of ( British prestige. flermans, "especially business mon. believe that Britain is most sympathetic towards the reconstruction of Germany. They look must hopefully to Britain and her" colonies for raw materials, without which Germany must starve.— (Reuter.) I