THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

Southland Times, Issue 17293, 13 March 1913, Page 5

THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

A GUUMAX VIEW. FRANCE THREATENS DANGER. JUSTIFYING INCREASED EXPENDJTURIT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright). BERLIN. March 11. The Cologne Gazette, in a remarkable article, says it would not be difficult for the Government to prove the necessity of the Army Rill if it could point without concealment to the quarter whence the next flanger threatened, namely France. "Never has the revanche idea shown itself so undisguisedly.” remarks the paper. “France claims the support of Russia and Britain merely to reconquer Alsace and Lorraine. ft is certain we will have to cross swords with France.” Tite Lokal Anzeiger says the Army Bill provides for an increase of 65.000 recruits in two years. Kighteen regiments. now a battalion short, will he brought to the three battalion standard and six new cavalry regiments formed. The stock of horses will be increased by TO,OOO. and frontier companies strengthened. The ISI.T celebration festivities have begun in Berlin. The Kaiser delivered a glowing euiogitini of tite army’s prowess during the century. STOCK EXCHANGES AFFECTED. LONDON. March 11. The heavy selling of foreign stocks in Berlin in order to relieve the German gold famine is reacting unfavourably on the London Stock Exchange and a similar effect is manifest in New York. SHORTAGE OF MONEY. LONDON. March 11. There is a shortage of money in Berlin owing largely to the withdrawal of French loans after the Agadir incident and the withdrawal of Russian funds. A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. ST. PETERSBURG, March 12. Received March 12, 5.5 p.m. Austria and Russia have agreed to a reduction of their frontier forces to a normal footing. FRIENDLINESS PROFESSED. ST. PETERSBURG, March 12. Received March 12. 12.20 a.m. It is staled in a note that the exclvange of letters between the Czar and the Emperor Franz Josef is proof that the Balkan events have not affected the friendly relations between Austria and Russia. The explanations that have been exchanged between the Governments show that Austria does not cherish aggression against her southern neighbours. THE FORTUNE TAX. FRANCE AND GERMANY. BERLIN. March 12. Received March 12, 9.5 p.m. It is estimated that the Kaiser’s private fortune is £7,100,000, on whicli he will pay the war tax. The Duke of Saxe-Altenburg's taxable fortune is £2,000,000. Tite Kaiser is fifth on the list of great estates laid under contribution. The Tageblatt disagrees with the Cologne Gazette’s allegations that France is the danger zone. Parisian newspapers are not altogether blameless for the deterioration in FrancoGerman relations.

The Neuesten Achrichten declares that the Cologne Gazette's articles only echo a Chauvinistic Franco.

The Cologne Gazelle says that Mr Asquith's speech is agreeable and impressive. Germany is gratified by the declaration that England is not obliged to send troops to the Continent. PARIS, March 12. The newspapers comment favourably on Mr Asquith’s speech. A SHARP REJOINDER. THE FRENCH SIDE. PARIS. March 12. Received March 12, 11.20 p.m. Le Temps, commenting on the Cologne Gazette's article, invites the German press to reconcile the. conflicting declar. ations that new armaments are due to the new situation in the Balkans, and to the desire of France for revenge. Le Temps adds that it is the old story of the wolf and the lamb, with the difference that now the lamb is in no fear of being devoured. Arrogant Germany is no longer confronted with an isolated France or an isolated Russia. They are now perfectly allied. The measures taken by France are not a threat. If there has been a threat it is Germany who lias made it.