Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-12-08
From the London Times of November 3.
Prussia Armlng.

Prussia is certainly arming She is preparing an arse
nal OF 400 rifle steel guns loading at the breach and
exploding with the aundnadd. Her army consists of
100000 in active service serving three years Of
these 10000 dismissed yearly into the war re-
serve, which consist also of 10000 men. Thus Prus-
sia, with her population of nearly eighteen millions has
an available army OF 100000 men, and raises 10000
recruits every year. She has, BESIDES rifle corps of
10000 men, whose time of service is from to years
There is also the LandWehr Of two aSgebOte and the
Landstrum. This terrible weight of arms however, has
been found formidable only to the nation which supports
it. 1t breaks down before it is tried Twice within
the last ten years it has done and the call out made
during the Italian eminenty unsatisfactory
Prussia therefore, Is 3rmng herself what she
sders more efficient but which does not appear to be
less burdensome military system The rife corps is
to be raised to 10000 the rest of the standing
army is to be increased $4,000 recruits are to be taken
in yearly, instead Of 10000. The number of the adult
male population liable to serve and who come to the
yearly lottery is 100000 Out of these the State used
to claim her 100000 and propose to double the ex
action. But even the remaining 10000 undraWn re-
cruits not exempt If the Landwehr cavalry is to
be abolished the regular cavalry is to be greatly in
creased and Cddres OF infantry officers to be formed
tor that All these preparations and augmen-
taons must be for home work Prussia does not affect
to fear Russia, which is internally in state of convul-
sion, and is not likely to SEEK least for some years
to come, any European quarrel Moreover Prussia has
drawn to Russia in strict alliance and the Prince
of Prussia has sealed the intimacy of personal inter-
change OF couresies with the Gar at Bresau Is this
preparation for armed contest with Austria or is
1t only Vaunt OF power, under the influence Of which
Prussia may press a revision of the Federal Const
tuition to her own advantage? Austria has, indeed
been, as usual, naughty and unconciliatory The com
language of her adherens has been that there is
nothing for it now but to pit Austria Germany against
sia-Germany" But the power of Austria is nc
| longer equal to her tone. With running deficit o.
9O,0OO,OOO forns-money borrowed and not likely tC
be paid to the Bank of Vienna 100000 900 forms
expenses above the extraordinary means of
forms raised for the Austrian of two months will
her financial good faith damaged and with Lombardy
which have one-th OF the Austrian revenue, gone thu
snews Of longer present to give force to any
extravagant pretensons at Vienna. Prussia must fee
that if any schsm be forced by Austria, its resul
must be- sooner or aterand probably rather later thai
sooner, for thought and action deliberate in German
bodes-to annex small States to Prussia Neither th
language OF Austria the affair of Hesse Casse
which has been going for 20 years like tempest il
teapot, but has never yet bubbled over causes, u
however, any great ALARM except for the general condi
ton of Europe when SO large army is considered ne
ces8ary by prudent but not very enerprisng State