Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-02-04
Berlin Letter.
ALPHA

DEnLiN, otH. IL IOCV'
Recent concentrations of troops and
material of war, effected by Russia upon
her western frontier, do not appear 10 have
caused much alarm either in North Ger
man military or financial circles. Prus-
sian generals contemptuously deride the
notion of Il Russian raid into East or West
Prussia, or 1.-The Duchy;' and well
known German military periodical, among
the contributors to which are several
members of the Crosses Generalstab, has
taken the pains to explain to It's readers
what would be the results to Russia of
war against Germany within six weeks
of the date at which the order for mobili-
cation should be signed by the German
emperor.
Among the results are the occupation of
St. Petersburg and Moscow by German
armies, which the writer does not conceive
to be regarded rs desirable by the Russian
government; wherefore he attaches no
more Importance to the Musings and
dislocatiOns," the marchings and coun-
termarchings, and so forth, that has been
INDUCED in of late by some eight or nine
Russian army corps than he would "to
the ceilings and drummings of African
savages, who think to Brighten their enc.
mics to death by making a hideous noise"
Russia he observes, will certainly not ter
rify either Germany or Austria by display
ing clumsy Accommodations - of badly
armed and worse drilled men in her west
ern provinces. At the same time the lead
ing financial sheet of Berlin points out
that the last war has added sixty millions
of roubles per annum to Russia's budget
for interest upon new loans alone. 1t is
expected that the amount set down in the
budget of 1880 for payment of interest
upon the imperial state debt will be one
hundred and seventy millions of roubes-
thirty millions more than in 1878. That
Russia should dream of attempting to
fight Germany under these circumstances
is regarded as altogether out Of the ques-
ton upon the Berlin bourse.
At q time when Europe is more than or
dinarily troubled with concentrations Of
troops and rumors of war, it is, at any
rate, satisfactory to know that one of the
most necessary adjuncs to victorious
army is wanting just now both in Russia
and Italy. According TO the German pa
pers, Il great part Of the Muscovite forces
are still armed with the Krinka rife-a
weapon of which the best that can be said
of it is, that it may be generally relied
upon to 60 off without hurting its holder
And now comes a parliamentary paper
issued by the government of King Hum.
bert, to show that as yet only about foul
hundred thousand of his maiestys soldiers
have got the Veterli rifle, and that before
the remaining two hundred thousand re-
ceive it grant of nearly two millions five
hundred thousand dollars must be obtained
of the parliament, and the rifles ordered
War was probably never averted for wan
of either money or weapons, but it has
sometimes been postponed; and in the
prolonged consideration which delay
affords more peaceful counsels may Away!
appear.
The authorities of Gotha have made
their report for the year 1879 on the sub
ject of cremation. The first body submitted
to this mode of disposal was treated OF
the Goth of December, 1873, since which
fifteen others have been similarly dealt
with, The time required for the complet,
incarceration of the bodies is about two
hours on an average, and it is regarded al
most satisfactory fact that not only ha
no complaint as to the result been made a
Gotha, but number of other German
towns are preparing to follow in its wake
The people whose remains were efemate,
came from all parts of Germany-Dresden
Hanover, Breslau and I.eipsic bein!
among the contributors, while even Vienn;
sent one subject 1t is now thought likel,
that the operation will be very considera
bly, extended in the Fatherland, particu
larly rs the objections which were urge,
against it have all been proved groundles
and rs little superstition as to the superior
advantages of burial remains.