The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-25 00:00:00

WHAT IT WILL COST PRUSSIA TO GO

TO WAR.

BERLIN, Jan. 22.—Preparatory to any debate
that may arise in the Second Chamber on the sub-
ject of the additional 25 per cent. being levied on
the income tax and octroi, to meet the interest of
the loan issued last year by this Government for
war purposes, a memorial has been distributed
among the Deputies, setting forth what has been
already done in this respect, what the military
preparations have cost, and what they will continue
to cost only to keep up the state of preparedness
for war (Kriegsbereitschaft). The memorial runs
as follows :

"I❑ view of the general state of politics and of the
circumstance that all the other great Powers of Europe
have most extensively developed their military resources,
it could not remain matter of doubt that Prussia would
also be obliged to take measures to bring the various
parts of her army into a condition which would facilitate
its passing into a state of actual war, and increase its
preparedness for that state, without entailing on the
land the expenses of a mobilisation earlier than was in-
evitable.

"In all armies it is first the procuring and then the
training of the horses that hinders and delays their be-
coming prepared. Although the Prussian army is in
the fortunate position,. that the full war complement of
horses can be certainly provided in the country
itself, and their supply is regulated by law, it can
nevertheless not be denied that in the case of its being
got ready for war the great number of untrained horses
would act as a great hindrance. To *brute these in-
conveniences it will be requisite in all cases, where there
is time for preliminary preparations, to begin with the
augmentation of the horses that will be wanted to boy
taken into action, and therefore stand. in need of peculiar
training, as in the cavalry and artillery ; and then to
take care that, either by limiting the retirement of men
who have served their time, or by early calling out those
who are destined to replace them at the various arms
may be provided with a full complement of men.
."In addition to the above-mentioned preparations,
it was necessary to bear in mind the important circum-
stances that possibly the necessity of increasing the
field artillery might supervene, seeing that a few
years back the five six-pounder foot batteries of each
regiment of artillery were each reduced by one foe-
the purpose of obtaining, as it was then thought ne-
cessary, an increased strength for the peace footing
of the other batteries and the artillery of the fortifi-
cations. Therefore, to avoid being obliged to weaken
the reserve stores for the purpose of strengthening the
field artillery up to the former extent, it was necessary
to arrange for replacing the batteries that had been re-
duced, and putting them on the war footing.
" It was also imperatively necessary on the breaking
out of war between the neighbouring Great Powers to
make preparations for strengthening certain points on
the frontier, and to order some of the fortresses to be got
into a state of preparedness, both as regards their forti-
fications and their armament of artillery.
" The immense number of guns now used in war, of
large calibre and of long range, has made it necessary to
supply the fortresses with 25-pound and 450-pound
cannon, for firing shells, so as to enable them to meet
any attack with similar guns, and at the same time to
supply the siege train with similar pieces.
" Confcrmably to the above, the following arrange-
ments have been made, and carried out, one after the
other since the mouth of July:—

" I. Every cavalry regiment of the standing army has
been put on the full war footing.
"2. Every battery of the nine artillery regiments has
had its complement of men and horses fully made up.
"3. The recruits of all arms levied this year for ser-
vice next spring were already ranged in the ranks, in the
beginning of October of the last year.
"4. The leaves of absence usually issued for the win-
ter have this time not been given.
" 5. The cavalry and artillery have only disposed of
such horses as were not worth their fodder, and-the late
purchases are borne on the books as supernumeraries.
" 6. The artillery, inclusive of the fortification compa-
nies of two regiments, has not parted with the men who
had served only their full time.
" 7. The men necessary for grooming and training the
newly•purchased horses have been retained in the service.
" 8. In two divisions of pioneers, the men who had
served out their time have not been suffered toleave their
regiments, and the recruits are consequently borne on
the rolls as supernumeraries.
"9. The erection of a fifth 6-pound foot battery for
each of the nine regiments of artillery has been pre-
pared for, so that the field artillery may, in case of need,
be properly strengthened, and without weakening the
reserve stock.

"10. The reserve stores of ammunition for light per-
cussion fire-arms are being increased in proportion to the
gradual introduction of this weapon into the army.
" 11. The smiths'cornpanies of the artilleryhave been
put on full war footing, inclusive of the infantry com-
manded to their service, so as to enable the artillery
works to meet the demands that may be made on them.
" 12. For the purpose of securing the frontier the
preparations that seemed necessary have been made, and
the fortresses in question have seen strengthened in
their fortifications and armaments.
"13. i3teps have been taken to supply the fortresses
with a number of 25-pound and 50-pound cannon for
firing shells, and to prepare for a supply of t'nese species
of artillery to the siege trains.
"The extraordinary expenses which hlaBthvse:
aaccrued ttn:
theton Admid
nistration
po ft
othe h
eA rm
close f
of rom,
4,135,724 thalers. Of this sum, 2,419,029 thalers were
for outiaoyvsereandde
aobnocveeftohreaulls,uwalhmiliclittb;eycbuurdregnett
amountsmo nthly
expense rs
to 434,058 thalers."

WINE DTIT,IES.—The Cadiz papers give an *won't of
Mr. Oliveira 's visit to that city in connexion with this
subject, and intimate the deep interest which all the
great houses at Jeres and Port St. Mary's take in the
question. The honourable gentleman, it seems, has
made a complete survey .of the various establishments,
and been most favourably received ; added to which the
leading commercial houses of Cadiz are beginning to
view the principles of free trade with some favour even
as regards a reduction of the Spanish tariff. Mr.
Oliveira is expected home early in February, when he
will bring forward his motion on the wine duties..
Owing to the cold, the building of the small. chateau
for the Empress, near Bayonne, which is called. the Villa
'
Eug4nie has had to be suspended ; but materials con-
tinue to be conveyed there, and the cutting and prepa-
ration of stones is carried on with activity.--Galignani.
SAVINGS'-BANKB.--The bill of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer for the re-arrangement of the funds of the
savings'-banks and the creation of a "State Deposit
Account" of 24,000,0001, in place of. certain amounts
of stock to be cancelled, is to be proceeded with to-mor-
row evening. The promised Government measure on
the law of partnership is to be intr:oduced,by the Presi-
dent of the Board of Trade on Monday.
THE LATE CROYDON RAILWAY AcetEmm
The
directors of the South-Eastern Railway have awarded
the sum of in/. to Miss Dobrfae, of Ashford, who sus-
tained some injury on the. occasion. The lady's claim
for compensation was 5001.--,Sentisk, 00414