Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 15, 1892. THE GERMAN ARMY BILL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8065, 14 December 1892, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 15, 1892. THE GERMAN ARMY BILL.

— - — ♦■ — Ix all respects, the German army is considered a model of military perfection, so much bo, in fact, that it bas formed the basis upon which the military establishments of most of the other European States have been reorganised of late years. It may be useful, therefore, to refer to "the Army Bill introduced in a speech in the Eeichstag by Count Von Caprivi on 24th November, and which was not only received there coldly and with evident scepticism, but h;is been declared by the French Press to be a striking tribute to the power of France, who, it is said, is able to regard the* situation with scornful composure. The preamble of the Bill says : — " The new organisation, must be carried out within the existing military frame-work, but more men must be trained. This can Only be effected by a shortening of the term of active service. In principle the three years' service prescibed by the Constitution will be retained, but in fact there will be a shorter service for infantry. At the same time, under the clauses of paragraph 18 of the Military Penal Code, they may be kept with t ho colours until their third year has expired. It is computed that with 235,000 recruits annually, inclusive of one year's volunteers, and with allowance of 25 per cent, for waste, Germany will in twenty-four years have au army of 4,400,000 uieu, thus

surpassing to some extent France, who has reached the limit of her capacity, and remaining only slightly behind Eussia." The new organisation will increase the infantry by 173 battalions, the cavalry by twelve squadrons, and the field artillery by sixty batteries, while the peace establishment will be increased by 80,000 men. Comparing the above computation that in twenty-four years the German war strength will be 4,400,000 men, it is interesting to note that that of Prance is now 4,053,000, and that of Russia 4,556,000. It would seem, though, that the Germans are not particularly charmed with the idea of amassing such a colossal army within the next twenty-four years. There may be various reasons for this lack of enthusiasm on the part of Cousin Fritz. It may be owing to Caprivi's eager disclaimer, scouting the bare idea of a warlike policy. Of course the Germans want to secure a long peace, and of course also no increase of territory is desired. So Caprivi said. Naturally, too, it is impossible to ignore the French love of war under the circumstances, as also to refer to the fact that their dosire is constantly growing stronger to conclude alliances, not for defence, but purely in order to revise the map of Europe! The noble Count is evidently convinced that trouble is likely to arise from Eussia, and that an attack from her would^ be conducted from the western frontier. No danger, of course, just now—but in the event of au alliance between France and Euasia—what then ? There would be a grave risk, and G-ermauy could not surrender Alsace-Lorraine, neither could she abandon her relations with Austria and Italy. Although Count Caprivi is not unmindful of what may be expected from the French, it is evidently the Eussians that are troubling him— it would bo bad enough to fight one, but a combination—that would beindeed too much ! It is evidently thought, then, as a necessity of moment, that Germany cannot afford to fall behind two such powerful and warlike neighbours in the matter of military strength, and tho fate of the now Army Bill will be watched with interest by all the Great Powers.

Sir Kobert Stout is amongst tho sufferers from influenza in Dunodin. The next quarterly communication of tho Grand Lodge, N.Z.0., will bo held at Dunedin on the 241h January. Tho Post argues that women's votes have purged municipal government by tho exclusion of Messrs Fish and Fißhor. It is anticipated that about 40,000 sheep will bo railed from Masterton Station within tho next month or two. The prizes in connection with the Collegiate School will bo given away to-morrow (Thursday) by Mr S. T. Fitzherbort. A meeting of the Orchestral Club will bo held in Christ Church Schoolroom tonight, at 7 80, to decide on the length of the vacation. Sorgeant-Mujor Anderson roooivbd a wire to-day from Tuupo stating that Te Eooti and forty of his followers Jeft there last night, en routo for Marton and Wanganui. Alterations are to be made in the testing accommodation in the Legislative Council Chamber, and the seats are to be arranged in the samo manner as those in the Lower House. Tho sale of Mr John Watson's property at TaylorviUo by Messrs A. Barnes and Son iW> been arrangod to take place at thoir 'ulo rooms on Saturday next at 1 o'clock. A Lyttollon wire states that John Jciine, singlo, aged 2i, a sailmaker on the ship Wniroa, fell into the lower hold yooterday evening, a distance of 15 feet, and died at midnight from the injuries rocoived. Tho Hawke's Bay Herald says tliat during a thunderstorm at Napior a cow wui killed by lightniug. At the place where tie animal was struck a<great hole was scooped in tho ground by the electric fluid. Tho following represor.t Feilding against the Collegiate School on Friday :— Lovett, Lance, Clayton, Cooto, Tompkins, Hedges (junr.), Mtlen, Entwisle, Carr, Hartgill, and Bryant. Emergencies, Dr Sorley, and Fowles. Tho scholars of the Caitlecliff School will bo assembled at tho schoolroom on Friday next, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of receiving their prizes. The friends and parents of the scholars are cordially invited to attend. Last month (Novombor) £288 was poid as duly on opium imported into the colony. This is about the monthly average duty on this stuff, which is mostly vied by Chinamen on tho West Coast of the South Island. At a meeting of.the Hutt County Council, an opinion was expressed that the body and othors similarly ciroum3tancod would soon be forced into striking a special rate for charitable aid. The Council's present contribution for , the purpose jb at the rato of £800 per year, whidh is said to be more than can be spared.

We aro requested by the Very Eev. Father Kirk to remind friends of the Catholio Schools, that offerings towards tbe prizo fund and Christmas Tree, will bo very thankfully received at the Convent or at tho Priest's house. Tho usual entertainment will be given by tho children on Monday evening to the parents and friends of the schools.

The death is announoed of a well-known Auckland oitizen, Mr John Waymouth. At the outbreak of tho Waikato war ho was Under Secretary for Defence, but ho afterwards retired from tho Government service and entered into business as a publio accoHntant. He was an enthusiast in aoquatia mattors, and was for somo time Commodore of tho Auckland Yacht Club.

An excellent entertainment is promised for to-morrow evoning in St. Paul's Hall in connection with tho annual distribution of prizes and certificates to tho scholars at tho Boys' and Girls' Schools. The programme will include vocal and instrumental musio, dialogues, recitations, oto., by tho pupils, and the entertainment, which is in aid of the prize fund, should prove most on joyable

In the cricket matches to-morrow, the following reproannt the Grooers CO. against Fordell :— Jones, Signal, Spurdle, Carter, B. Tarrant, A. Tarrant, Maech, W. Young, Derungß, Ollive, Kiohes, and O'Hara. A brake will leave the Post Offloa for Pordell at 1.30 p.m. The Commercials playing against Aramoho will be represented by 8011, Watt, Larking, Porteoiis, Boddy, Jones, Pawson, Bowley, Cole, Kirkpatriok, and Goss. Emergencies, Downes, Buokrell, and Hammond. Members of.the Commercial Cricket Club are reqnested to be on the course to-morrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m. sharp, in view of tho matoh with tho AramohoC.C. The following represent Arnmoho against the Comtnarcial 00 at 230 to-morrow (Thursday} : — H. B. Cave, K. Cave, Sam Powell, Haywr.rd, M. Neil, Jon. Brown, W. Tucker, J. Edclio, A. Tucker, J. Calver, and J. Jackson. JSuieigoney men— Oullum, and Keegan.

Everyone who knows Mr Marshall Blackburn, the popular proprietor and driyor of the Upokongaro coach, will regret to bear that he at present lies in the Wanganui Hospital suffering from a paralytic stroke on the left side. The seizures took place at Mr Rotre's, and Dr Innos was immfdiataly called in, after which his immediate removal to tho hospital took place. During last night he got somewhat worse, and this morning it was found that he was almost blind, Mr Blackburn has been driving tho Upokongaro coach for the past twelve years, and provious to that he was well-known on tho West Coast as a fairly successful golddigger. He is a native of Lancashire, about sixty yeors of age, and libb no relatives. In an interview with our to-day he spoke quite rationally, oppeaied to be thoroughly resigned, evidently had full knowledge of his serious condition, and stated that what little money ho had he would bequeath tv Hie local hospital.