The New York herald., 1871-12-02
= q w a N Y.
The Three Years. Army Budget
Bill at the Second Reading.
Vigorous Opposition to the Estimates and Small
Majority in Approval-Cabinet Tactics
Prepare for War and the Revenge"
Of France-Dread of Russia.
ItleGHAM TO THE new yoax HERALD

BERLIN, Dec. l, 1871
During the sitting OF the Lower House of the
Prussan Diet yesterday the triennal army budget
which provides the government with war fund es
timated Tor three years-passed Its second reading
by q small majority.
The Items OF expenditure were sharply criticised
during the debate. Many OF them were pronounced
extravagan; ana 1t looked at one time as if the
budget would be rejected, the opposition was so
strong and determined.
The Ministers "warnedr the House in the most
significant manner 'rhat II should prepare for the
future; that France contemplated revenge for her
defeat, and would seek 1t as the French war
indemnity was paid. The only safety for Germany
was In her army, and that should neither be weak.
ened nor neglected.
BY urging representations OF this character and
IN this only the Ministers succeeded In car
rying the bill through the critical stage of the
second reading.
THE POINTS OF THE DEBATE
The liberals ana ultra-liberals OF Prussia argued
in opposition briefly In this shape:-"Why maintain
q war budget and Keep the army list on war foot.
ing for three yearss affairs next year look peace
full. should we not place the army on its former
footing? II in 1874 we are again threatened with
war We can then again sanction extra grants for
army and naval purposes" ~az1s -.E.----''
the Ministers replleo ylsl considerable animation
and great iorc oasin9 their argument for the vote
may on the following points OF national necessity
They sald:-
II budget for war purposes is necessary al all
1t VIII be as requisite IN 1874 as In 1872. Next year.
unless war breaks out In the meantime, the state
OF Europe Will be very much what IL is to-day. The
cry for war OF revenge Will be then heard in
still unpaid, anu there is little doubt that payment
will be refused Il iii French can calculate on the
alliance OF Russia or Austria. We are wrong to
arl n a II uhnd I No ~
the Russian people and the Russian army are IN
their hearts, ansPrussian although 1t may not suit
There seems little chance OF affairs there being
on frmer footing next year than they are
this vii s bat o. IN al hs question N
time. in fixing on period when we may pe able
to reduce our war esIablisslhments we must b9
Us such an epoch Annually on the lst or Iarcn in.
slaments Of the French war indemnity become
due; In 1871 , therefore, either France Will have
equanimlty or having repudlated the debt be ready
to recommencc the war; In three years the Aus
strncted rhat either Sclavonic or Magyar.German
interests will entirely sway Its foreign policy. In
Intentions or Russia and the extent to which France
can rely on her friendship. In 1874 the SclayOnic
idea, with its soclalisc doctrines, may have revo.
lulioniZed the RUSSIAN constitution. and we shall
then know how we stand with regard to Nihilistc
Ministry, which, IN 1872 neither we nor the dipo-
mats OF the old school who rule on the Neva can
know anything about.
An English writer, anticipating the Prussan war
budget project, said:-"Germany is really armng
herself against Russia, or, in other words, prepar-
ing for a war with nation with whom she Is ut
peace. The Russians are not blind to this. Whether
such proceeding is likely to lead TO more cordial
feeling between the two nations Is matter must
leave for wiser heads to decide"
American THANKSGIVING.
BERLIN. Dec !, 1871.
The Americans in this city observed thS festival
Of thanksgiving yesterday appropriate man
ner.
A special divine service held In the morning
which was well attended, and In the evening a din
ner was given at the Hotel de Rome
Close of the Parliamentary Session.
BERLIN, Dec. l, 1871.
The German Parliament closed its sessions to-day.