A GENERAL ON THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1912, Page 5

A GENERAL ON THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

The Berlin correspondent of the "Matin" recently had an interview with General yon Alten, well known for his military writings, on the subject of the demand for an increase in the German army and navy.

General yon Alten believes that the military regulations should be made stricter. Theoretically every ablebodied man is supposed to serve in the German army; nevertheless, a large proportion are not enrolled. As a result, France, with her population, of thirty-nine millions, is about as strong, in a military sense, as Germany with her sixty-five millions.

The General, however, is not pessimistic.

"I do not think there will be a war between the great European Powers in oar days. If we desire to remain strong it is only because, as Sir Edward Grey said, it is the best method of assuring peace. We shall not have another war unless England and France attack us suddenly, and I don't f>ee why these two countries should do

"As for Germany, she does not want war; she has proved it sufficiently for forty years. People and Emperor are profoundly pacific. The Reichstag would reject any war which was not on questions of vital interest."

General yon Alten insists that it is by peace the Germany has grown strong; that owing to peace German commerce and industry have increased so as to make Germany one of the richest, nations of the world. The General also denies that Germany wants to acquire a great colonial empire, and points to the fact that nearly ?00,000 foreign workmen enter Germany every year.

CABLEGRAMS.

By Electric Telegraph.—Press Asso-

ciation.—Copyright