The Press. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 2,1898. THE CZAR'S DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10131, 2 September 1898, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 2,1898. THE CZAR'S DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS.

The old adage told us— -oi vis pacem, para bellum"—"lf you wish for peace prepare for war." The new reading, according to some of the Continental journalists, is—"lf you wish for war, preach peace; and in particular propose a general disarmament." It is no doubt true that the Czar's proposal in this direction has caused far more excitement, and has even depressed the Continental bourses more than a substantial increase in the Russian army or navy would have done. We see no reason to assume, however, that the Czar is necessarily insincere in this matter, or that his proposal is merely the cloak for some unusually deep and daring project of aggression. The game of "brag" which the leading Continental Powers have been playing of late years, and in which England has latterly been compelled to take a, hand, constitutes a terrific drain upon their resources, and it is no secret that so far as Russia is concerned the burden is getting almost heavier than she can bear. The armaments of all the leading Powers have been increasing at a remarkable rate. To give some idea of the increase we may quote some figures for 1890 and 1897. The contrast would be still greater if we had the complete returns for the present year, since some of the heaviest increases, especially in the British and Russian navies, have taken place in the last few months. Referring first to Russia herself, wo find that in 1890 she spent approximately £33,000,000 on her army; in 1897 the vote had increased to £43,000,000 od J The annual expenditure on the navy had increased in the same time from, about £2,000,000 to .upwards of In other words Russia in seven years had increased her annual expenditure on the army and navy by some £18,000,000, representing a rise of 50 per cent. France in 1890 spent about £28,500,000 on her army and £8,000,000 on her navy; in 1897 she spent about three millions less on her army and three millions more on her navy—an indication that she was getting easier as regards her neighbours by land, but felt the need of strengthening herself by sea, wffch' a view of placing herself more on terms with, Great Britain. Germany in. 1890 spent nearly £21,000,000 on the army, and a littlfj over £2,000,000 on the navy! In 1897 the figures were approximately £24,321,000 and £3,000,000 respectively, showing a total increase on armament of something over four millions sterling. In Great Britain the expenditure on the army has remained nearly stationary at about £18,000,000 sterling net for some years. It was £17,717,800 in 1890, and £18,140,500 in 1897. The cost of the navy, however, has largely increased. It was only some 14 J. millions net in 1890; in 1897 it was £21,838,000, thus showing an increase of about 50 per cent. The present year's estimates show additional votes both for the army and navy, and the defence expenditure of the Euroi pean Powers wo have mentioned also shows an increase. There is, however, a marked difference between Great Britain and her Continental rivals. They find their military and naval expenditure a really grievous burden, which presses hardly on the working classes, causing them to suffer genuine hardship. In addition they have the conscription, absorbing the energies of the whole male population in the flower of their youth. In England there is no conscription, and the expenditure is not felt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is able to go on paying off the national debt, and occasionally to remit taxation, and still he can afford to pay for a few new warships when they seem to be required. The working man contributes to the cost only through his beer :or spirits and tobacco, and if he chooses to eschew these luxuries he practically escapes scotfree. Nevertheless it must be admitted that England is vitally interested in the Czar's proposals and await further developments with the keenest attention. The mere fact of the proposals having been made is, we think, to the advantage of Great Britain. If they are carried into effect we, as the great advocates of peace, would naturally welcome the reform ; even if they are not accepted, it looks as if they have had the effect of knocking the bottom out of the great Continental alliance against Great Britain. France has now , begun to distrust the Russian alliance, and her old jealousy and hatred "of Germany is evidently reviving in full force. It is not a little significant tEat the proposal is made just after it was announced that Great Britain and Russia were beginning to work more amicably together in regard to the Far East. We wonder if any sort of mutual understanding lias been: arrived at between the two Powers, on which the disarmament proposals may be said to hinge?