GERMANY PREPARED FOR WAR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 5

GERMANY PREPARED FOR WAR.

If a war involving Germany should bo declared the men liable to military service would present themselves at their respective headquarters all over tile country; the horses, waggons, carts, etc., which in timo’ol peace have boon noted down by special officers as serviceable would ho requisitioned. The quarters for the advancing army, also Ef'eetcd in time of peace, would bo procured for the reception of the various contingents along the line of invasion or defence, the supplies necessary for carrying on a prolonged war against a European nation, always kept in readiness, would be issued, and the country, say- .M‘(..lure's, woulu he prepared wan a tew hours time. This exactness of detail is carried out to such an extreme that even the necessary money required at the outset is kept on hand. In tho so-called Julius Turn at tho fortress of Spaudan, near Berlin, hundreds of sacks of gold, containing 120,000,000 nlarks, part of tho Fit, neo-German war indemnity, are jealously hoarded for this purpose. By law this war fund can he • used only for requirements that arise at the outbreak or during a war. Directly a. war has been declared tho lieichbank (State Bank) would take charge of this war treasure, and is authorised to issue bank notes to three times tho amount, that is, 1100,000,000 marks, nr snfficout to meet all requirements until loans arc raised. Germany stands alone of all countries in tho world in being financially mobi-li-sted for war and in possessing a war fund. Tho amount may seem insignificant when compared to tho entire cost that a Continental war might entail, yet it would enable tho country to tide over tho first few days and to admin-? ister tho first blow for defence; Elaborate plans for tho provision of tho sinews of war have been compiled by Germany’s most prominent bankers, and tho danger of being compelled to cease operations in a prolonged war for lack of moans has been reduced to a minimum.

All German forts and fortresses arc armed and equipped to overflowing with ammunition, supplies, stores, and provisions, so that they are ready for tho outbreak of hostilities and could undergo prolonged sieges. Such forethought is bestowed on these preparations that the very bread, a dark brown kind called kemnis brot, is especially prepared to keep fresh for weeks. Millions of tho so-called oiserno rationeu., or iron rations (the'soldiers' food in war time), are kept in stock, and countless field travelling kitchens attached to every brigade are kept in reserve. The barracks arc crammed with accoutrements, rifles, bedding, tents, etc., and sufficient stores are in constant readiness to equip 2,000,000 men without fresh supplies being ordered. Everything, even down to'tbo last button on the last soldier’s coat, is reedy.

Officers who have been present at tho trials of the new machine f\un are loud in its praise, and earnestly urge its adoption. At Ju+'rlionr, the great artillery experimental camp near Berlin, those tests have boon exhaustively carried out under conditions as nearly approaching tho grim realities of war as nan possibly bn imagined.

Tho simplicity of construction, solidity, and nfichaicv of the new gnu vi--astounding. According to reports from Jnterborg, 260,000 rounds were fired from a single gun at an average speed of 4-30 shots a minute, for a coupio of days, the gun showing no signs of wear. -