CONDITION OF ARMIES DISCUSSED BY KAISER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12254, 3 June 1914, Page 7

CONDITION OF ARMIES DISCUSSED BY KAISER.

(Bv "Dr Wolf von Schierbrand.)

Vienna, April S. From reliable sources I learn that the ihterview the Emperor recently had with his sillies of Austria-Hungary and Italy turned c-hieffy on two points, namely, the present condition and the prospects in the near future of thi: Balkans and the ac-tunl size and condition of the allied armies in case of a sudden upheaval.

Information as to the armies included the rate of .speed at which mobilisation for war purposes can be effected : the railways, river navigation and the [transport ships available and their definite capacity; the preparations made for concentrating large forces along given frontier lines, and the technical troops at instant disposal, such as aviation corps, railroad, telegraph, field telephone, freight and ammunition a.utos, sanitary trains, field hospitals, etc. On his own part the Emperor gave exhaustive information regarding his own army and navy. It is understood that the Kaiser was agreeably surprised at the state of. lin- ) mediate, readiness to ward off any, unexpected blow from . either Russia or France, or both, in which lie found his allies of Italy and Austria-Hungary. From the heir to the throne of Austria Hungary, Archduke lfancis Ferdinand, especially, whom his aged uncle a few .months ago promoted, to the position of generalissimo of the entire land and sea forces of the dual monarchy. Kaiser Wilhelm received the fullest and most satisfactory during the short visit he paid at Miramare. Between him and his two allies there may be said to exist at this hour per-

fect accord on the Balkan finest ion, which is the one that seems tn be for the moment the most threatening. _ | This accord, so far as Italy is concerned, is to bo ratified with. AiistriaHungai'v about a fortnight after Easter, when* the Martinis di San.Giulano and Count Berchtold are to meet at ,Abbazia. that is. on Austrian soil, to compare notes as tn the latest piloses of development in the Balkans. On this occasion, too, the casus frederis. that is. the point at which one ally would be considered bound to come to the aid of the other, is to be explicitlv snecified. Just at present it may be declared unhesitatingly that of the former frequent points at issue between Italy and Austria-Hungary theie is none lb'ft between the two Governments. That does not mean, however, that the Italian people have given up sighing for the Irredenta provinces under Austrian rule and inhabited by men of their own race. It is somewhat significant that the

Hungarian Premier. Count Stephan Tisza] who had'an audience with Kniscr Willi elm cl living the latter's brief stay in Vienna, lias published, over his own signature, in a high-class Hiinsrnrian • periodical. the ("Review ol the World), a somewhat sensational article on the Dreibund. Tn this article the Premier says outright that in case of attack hy either France or Russia, or both. AustriaHun trary will hack up Germany with her full military powers. If, on the other hand. France should attack Gertnanv. and Russia Austria-Hungary, three-fifths of Germany's army would suffice to keep the French aggressor in check, while the other two-fifths would go to assist her Austro-Hunganan all> against Russia. "However, the article is verv careful to state with much emphasis that the-Dreibund was only created, and exists to-day, solely for defensive purposes, and that neither Germany nor Austria-TTungarv harbors any plans of expansion. Although Count Tisza has refused to make any statement as to whether this article was suggested or inspired by the Kaiser, it is generally believed here that it was.