THE WORLD'S WAR STATUS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 39

THE WORLD'S WAR STATUS.

TABLE SHOWING THE PRESENT CONDITION OF ALL THE EURO. PEAN ARMIES.

It is evident to the most casual observer that the small war clouds floating in European skies must sooner or latter be blown together by contrary and local winds, and the threatened downpour thus be made a reality. It is almost certain that war between any two countries must eventually involve the others. A glance at the following table will give some knowledge of the present organisation and expense of the various armies of Europe, and data upon which to build a picture of the next war. Since ]S7O the development of the military establishment has been the absorbing topic in each country. The burden has been heavy to all, and some would gladly welcome any honourable proposition to disarm, so that the wealth of their country and the labour of their young men might be devoted to the atts of peace histoid of those of war.

THE ENORMOUS TOTAL. The table .shows that over three millions of men are constantly under arms. Twenty-two millions have had military training, and the prospective strength, when the most recent laws shall have been in operation a few years more, reaches the amazing figure cf thirty millions. These figures are a little misleading on account of the enormous strength given to Russia. It is not probable that she could utilise, in any way. more than one-fourth of the strength attributed to her, and she would not care to attempt that for any considerable time. The expense column reaches tho grand total of £\ 34,345,000. An inspection ot the table shows that Austria, Belgium and Italy spend less than £lO per man. England's regular forces cost her about £BO per man. Germany, France and Kussia each expend about £fo per man. When we consider that the war budget includes expenditures for food, clothing, horse-, ammunition, transportation and war material in general, we must conclude that tho individual soldier gets very littlo both in pay and bodily comforts for his year's work for his country. The question is, not what the soldier deserves, hut what is tho least he can get along with and do his work and present a good appearance on parade. The United States spends about J 61,500,000 per year on an army of 25,000 men—an average of £IBO per man.

In many of these countries the military and naval expenditures are very burdensome, especially when they add to the actual expense the loss of the productive labour of hundreds of thousands of able-bodied young men. If the maintenance of these largo armies were a good guarantee of peace the burden would be lightened, but, on the contrary, they aro a constant menaco to peace, for the question of war or peace is controlled by a few officials of great power, some of whom aro anxious to try their fortunes on the field of battle. Expensive as these establishments arc in time of peace, it is nothing when compared with the cost of a modern war. in case ok war. In the event of war the standing army and the first reserves, a t ,tal of from 100,000 to 1,000,000, would bo mobilized to form tho first line of defence or offence. The other reserves would be called into service for the second line and to supply vacancies in the first line. This would mean for Franco, Germany or Russia at least one million of men underarms a*, the opening of hostilities. Germany and France have each about (JO,OOO cavalry and S'JO tield batteries, with 3000 guns, if the campaign should open in bad weather the loss in men and horses from sickness and exhaustion would bo very great, During tho war of 1870 there were 400,000 Germans on the sick list, and it was an unusually healthy campaign. All are armed with magazine rilles, and the artillery is of the best modern types. The expenditure for expensive aiuin inition will exceed anything ewr known or even dreamed of in military history.

Ih' l expense account of th: nextcontincntal war will certainly run into mi.lions per day. This is the key to the situation. Willi France and Germany evenly matched in military strength, tho disasters of are not likely to bo repeated. The French paid a very high price for the lessons of .Mel/, and Sedan, but they learned them thoroughly mid conscientiously set to work to profit by them. Military men have studied the situation carefully, and have been unable to arrive at any definite conclusion as to the course of events in tho next war, but every consideration points to a prolonged struggle between . nations so evenly matched as Franco, Germany and Kussia.. The military treasuries of Italy and Spain are already empty. Austria, Germany and Russia would certainly bo in serious trouble at the end of the first year and anxious for peace. France and Fnglan 1 could prolong the struggle for a much longer period without distress. Unless Germany should win on tho held she would be soon compelled to accept a disadvantageous peace. Russia has found it cheaper to buy tho Turk than to fight him. She remembers the secret intrigues which brought on Plevna and Shipka Pass, and she has greater respect for tho Turk's warlike ability than for his honesty. Russia could not be prevailed upon to disarm, for she has projects in the East much dearer to her heart than the peaco of Europe France would not listen to any projoct for disarmament, for her burden has not become oppressive, and she can afford to bide her time. England, with her great financial and naval strength, holds the balaneo of powor. If she should cast her lot with tho Triple Alliance, it would win. If she should stand aloof, France and Russia would bo the favourites in the struggle Austria is an unknown quantity. Her peace army is well organised and dia>l

ciplined, and her " war strength " looks very formidable on paper. But tho Austrian ha"e a great record for being beaten, even under good leaders, which they very seldom develop. Tho campaign of ISGO lasted but seventy daj-s. However, we know little of the qualities of her leaders of to-day.

The French and German heroes of 1870 have disappeared or are getting too old for active field work. The former cannot by any chance bo worse off for leaders than she was then, while Germain* will miss Von Moltke and Prince Frederick Charles. Russia has a few of the able men of 1877 still in harness. England has had no war with any first-class Power finoe the Crimea. The reputations of her trencrals have been made in contests with Asiatics and Egyptians. She would not add much to the armies of her allies, but would content herself with destroying the enemies' commerce and blockading their sea coast cities, as she did in Napoleon's time. NO PEACE WITHOUT WAR. There is no chance for Europe to disarm at present. I hey must follow the pace set, until war shall change the situation and leave them all so financially crippled tint they will be forced mutually to agree to cease compulsory military training, and only to maintain small armies for the suppression of insurruetionm at home and for tho government of colonic-*. New and very expensive war machines are being invented each year. If one nation adopts them, others are compelled to follow or to enter the struggle with a handicap. The enormous expense of re-arming the "war strength" with anew small arm is a constant hii"bear to the military authorities. They realise that it i.-: liable to be forced on them any day, as the progress in tho improvement of arms and explosives is so rapid and unceasing that even experts cannot predict the lines on which the next advance will be made. In the' meantime the taxes increase, service becomes more distasteful, and all are eagerly awaiting '" the beginning of the end." That end will Ik- on the basis of " peace with honour " and disarmament for all, which can be brought about only by a terrible gencial war, whereby some will be left bankrupt and the others so crippbd. a.'; to need a long rest.

Peace War Footing. Footing. Austro -Hungary ... 318,000 ] ,791,175 Belgium... ... 48,839 140,000 England ... 221,000 C70,00C Franco ... 5.38,000 2,850,000 Germany ... 598,000 3,700,0. ( Italy, " ... 273,000 1,994,12(3 l'u.ssia ... ,.. 830,000 10,200.001 Spain ... 111,000 400.000 Switzerland 50,000 ■18;i0S2 Turkey ... ... 200,00C 3,037,859 22,431,983 Prospective Strength. Cost. ... 2,581,315 £11,017,000 Belgium ... 1.870,0(10 Kuglanrt ... 1,^00,000 17,800,000 France ... 3,430,0()() 25.100,000 Germany Italy ..'. ... 1,112,000 ... 3,1,55,02(5 23,(524,000 9,(5 (1.000 Uussia ... 13,014,805 37,2(59,000 Spain i \v 11 /. (> r 1' i1 i • l ... 1,919,355 48(5 GS2 5,025,000 2 110,0(J0 lurkcy 400,000 — 30,(520,243 .£131,315,000