Omaha daily bee., 1886-12-28
tconnIglt ~ 1p Iame. 0ol,l0n Bennel

rapidly and secretly as possible. Tho
Vienna newspapers are forbidden to say a
word on the subject, and the Tagblatt was
seized on account of too detailed descrip.
ton of the Mannlicher repeating rifle. The
government was given q credit Of a million
and quarter dollars to begin the purchase
of repeating rifles, but it will take ten times
that TO complete her armament. What system
has been chosen remains a secret, but it is
believed to be a modification OF the Mann
licher The Schulhoff rifle is we'll spoken
of Nv military men, and the
inventor nas now gone to London, where
he is negotiating q large order.
Russia. it is reported, has refused to change
her system, and some persons arg,;e from this
that she thinks war probable before they
could be got ready. However, Russia has
made large purchases Of Nordenfeldt guns.
While nearly every one believes war proba-
bic In the spring, and many believe IL inev-
liable, the military, as distinguished from the
political element, see no convincing reason
for war; because they are of the old school
that think war useless unless it results IN the
annexation Of a province or some similar
material advantage.
CRITICIsGNG THE ARMY.
The minister of war and his friends have
been greatly annoyed by the continued crti-
cism and attacks on his administration
which have lately appeared In Germany.
One of these, entitled military Strength of
Austria-llungary in the Twelfth Hour"
written by a retired HUNGARIAN officer, eX-
cited such feelings that 1t was at once pro-
bibited in Austria, though owing TO different
municipal laws its sale was permitted in
Hungary. This pamphlet sharply criticises
the whole administration of the army, but
especially the defects in the system of mobil-
aation and the bad effect upon officers in send
Ing them to provinces where they do not speak
the language and are cut off from society,
for the Roumanians and Serfs are sent to
Austria, and the Bohemians to Hungary; the
spread of socialism among officers and the
defective nourishment and clothing of SOL
diers, for the Austrian soldier receives no
rations but one meal day at noon and an
extra loaf of bread every two days; which
latter is deducted from his Pay Of two cents
day, out OF which he also has to provide him
SELF with backing and cleaning equipments.
While these differences and conclusions in
the pamphlet are denied by the higher mill
tary officials. the statements are generally
approved by the lower officers who have had
chance of seeing it.
Herman officers last summer made severe
comments on the state of the Austrian army.
ana 1t Is significant that nothing was said on
the subject In the recent debate in the Ger
man parliament. But Prince Reuss, the
German embassador, who certainly has an
interest IN Knowing, processes himself well
satisfied. Hungarian deputies told me that
the opposition, after making careful inquiries.
considered the army to be IN ch better
state than was generally believed and per-
fectly ready for campaign.
THE WAR MINISTER POPULAR.
The minister of war, Count Blylandt.
Rheidt, is much liked by political men on ac-
count of his great knowledge of details
and readiness in explaining them and his
economy, for he never exceeds the appropri-
alton. The difficulties of mobilization come
partly from the dslocation of regiments and
the necessity Of bringing their reserves from
very distant parts of the country, for the sys-
ten OF territorial corps d'armee has not vet
been entirely introduced-and partly
from the defects in the railway system.
The long railway which runs through Galicia,
along the whole Russian frontier, has but two
functions with the hungarian railway system
and but one with the Austrian lines, At
Oderbcrg the line from that place to Cracow
passes dangerously near the Russian from
IL, s.
burg, to Sillein on Eperes, a line which will
be of great advantage, is not yet finished
and ii took the minister of war seven wears
to get it through the Hungarian parliament
because it was q strategic and not com.
mercial line.
Another minor defect arising from partcu-
larism is that Polish is spoken on the Cali
clan railway and Hungarian on the Hun
yarian lines. This Galcan railway must
play an important part in future war,
PLANS FOR A CAMPAIGN
III is tho general belief here that Russia, in
'aSe of war, Will not waste her forces by
occupying bulgaria. So far as Austria is
1t mus: be fought out on the
ialician frontier. Plans for an offensive
campaign contemplated the march of one
ripy from Cracow down the Vi5tula toward
when every soldier would carry AN
,Xtra rifle to be given TO the Polish peasants.
md another from the neighborhood of Lem. |
berg toward Kief An effort would also be
made to Isolate and perhaps destroy Odessa
Even III Roumania should remain neutral |
he occupation of Jassy is considered neces. |
AIRY, but 1t Is hoped that ROumania would be |
compelled to side with Austria.
IL may DO added that the pupils in the mill |
AIRY schools have lately been required 10
tudy two books, entitled From the Vistula
o the Dnieper," by Harmaticus, which is full
Il valuable detailed maps, and the military
Biography OF Russia" by Colonel Fielder. of
he war office, which is not allowed to be
old
POLISH INFLUENCES AT WORK
A recent hintsin the Sord Deutsche Algo-
leine Iehung, that Polish influences and
len we're at work to excite German sympa.
ny for Bulgaria and against Russia, is well
oundcd. There IS decided feeling that il
nay be necessary TO re-estabish the kingdom
I Poland rs n barrier against Russia. In
hungary this feeling is so strong that in case
/ war tho IlungaranS would insist OH the
oNernment taking measures to excite n
'oliSh insnrreetlon, even at the risk of being
ompelled to cede Gallcia to tie new Polish
ingdom.
had, to- day, a long conversation on this
nbJect with cousin of Prince C2arorgysZki,
le nominal head of Polish emlgra-
ration, VINO confirmed all that [
ave heard clsGNhere He says that
lree years age there was a strong move for
ne establishment of an Independent Poland
! close alliance with Russia and under a
uSsian prOteetogats. AT that time the Polish
aders had selected as their eventual king
rince Naldemar, of Denmark. and negotia-
ons on the subject We're begun at Copen-
asen 10 obtain the consent of tie king, his
al. fl... ls...g