The New York herald., 1871-12-02
Frtshtfal Accunulatien Of NatlesaI Debts
In KurOue.


The North German government YESTERDAY
succeeded in passing its project for the par
hamentary vote of triennial army budget to
second reading in the Prussan Diet. The
arguments Of the opposition, cogent and rigor
ous as they were, were overruled by the Ministe-
rial idea Of probable attempt at avengement
by France and the existence Of pressing neces.
sity for preparation to meet it. Some persons
inferred that Prussia wishes to arm against
Russia, so that the occasion was unusually
important. The Kaiser William justifes the
money burden. 1t Is thus more than probable
that the productive industries of the Continent
of Europe will be disturbed and contracted
both in their profits and operations by the
military furor during the next couple Of
years to come.
The exhibit just made Of the national
finances of France, waich appeared in
the HERALD recently, with the facts which
we have published from time to time with re-
gard to the constantly augmentng debts of
other nations of Europe as WELL show an
alarming state Of things for the Industrious
classes We need not wonder that the labor
ing people fee from these crushing burdens,
from the ever-recurring demand made upon
them for military service, and from the fright
ful prospect before them, to this happy and
prosperous country. If millions more had the
means Of emigrating there would be, no doubt,
such an exodus from all parts of Europe as
was never dreamed of and that would astonish
the world.
The debt of France is at least
$4,000, 100000, which makes au annual
charge for interest at five per cent Of
$l5o,ooO, 900. This burden has been con-
constantly accamllating since the fall Of
Napoleon l., in 1914, aud through all the
successive and different governments up to
the present time. When the first empire was
overthrowsn, ia 1914, The yearly interest On 4
the consolidated debt amounted to 63, 900, 900
of francs. After the Hundred Days it
rose to l65O00,OOo. In 1913 it was
1T, 900. In 1852 it was $4,000, 900.
annual interest was 360,0O0,00O. Now it is
over $4,000, 900, with the interest on the
indemnity to the departments and other obli-
cations raising the total yearly burden to
about 750,O00,000 francs or 10000, 900 OF
dollars. Thus, we see constant tendency ia
the augmentation and burden of debt through
all the changes of dynasties and republican
government. 1t must be said, however, that
the short-lived republic at different times has
had to bear the crushing weight of the falling
dynasties, besides enormous expenses to
defend ITSELF And what is the cause Of this
vast and continually increasing debt9 War,
war, inspired in the first place by dynastic
ambition, and in the next by the insane desire
on the part Of the foolish people for national
and military glory. 1t has been so with
France in . more marked manner than with
the other European nations, and dearly has
she had to pay for it, but the enormous debta
of most of them have been accumulated in the
same way.
National debts are sometimes created in
defence of a country or to preserve its govern
ment. The vast debt of over 81, 900, 900, 900,
which our own government piled up within
four or five years grew out of the
gigantic struggle to preserve the
Union. While the expenditures we're very
extravagant aud the debt unnec essarily aug
mented by bad financial management the
cost was for proper object, and not, as in
Europe, for dynastic ambition or military
glory. The enormous debt of Great Britain
was created for the mos. part to preserve what
has been called the balance of power, bal
ance that has been always changing and con-
tinually disturbcd-to maintain, in fact,
fiction-but all in the supposed interests Of
dynastic or monarchcal governments The
smaller, though very large, debts of the
other nations of Europe-of Russia, Austria,
Italy, Spain, Germany and the rest-have been
created by similar causes and for similar OBJ
jects. The whole amount of the national
debts Of Europe can hardly be less than
twelve thousand millions of dollars, and this
increasing all the time. OF course the bur-
den falls upon the industrious classes, and it
is this which keeps the masses stccped in
poverty. Then we add to the annual burden
of the interest on this stupendous indebted
ness the cost Of enormous standing armies,
numbering, probably, near three millions of
men in all, besides the cost of vast navies and
expensive royal establishments. How is it
possible to prevent national debts continually
increasing under such state of thingsp
1t is evident there must be some limit to
the debts of nations, as there is to those
individuals. There must be point at which
Indebtedness can 60 no further. In this coun-
try we pay off the debt, never think Of making
n nornafuaI and hava abundant raaourcaa for
paying it; but in Europe they do not expect
to pay the principal. Every fresh war or unu-
sual expenditure, therefore, adds to the prn-
cipal, and the different nations, as shown in
the case of France, get deeper and deeper in
debt. Sooner or later revolution and repu-
Cor fhnrn Ia