Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-04
Prus.ian Thrtft.


Trafalgar. Modern Prussian kings,
Prussian statesmen, and Prussisn officers
find in their history one grand exemplar
to which they constantly turn for In
struction. They are all more or less pu-
pills, and. in their way, imitators OF frede-
rick the Great poring over his history,
and studying his methods IN war and IN
peace. And there is one aspect OF trede-
rick's career which in the blaze OF his
more brilliant achievements has not at
tracted much foreign attention, but
which is we'll recognized In his own
country: the financial aspect of his
craftsmanship. Brilliant feats OF war are
common enough ip history: the feats
OF finance performed by Frederick are,
80 far. unparalleled. When we wonder
that with O war-budget less than ours,
Germany can mobilize million OF
thoroughly equipped soldiers on her
eastern frontier and million on her
western frontier, We should remember
that prussian statesmen have lying be-
fore them domestic examples OF mill
tary economy as admirable TO them as
their military economy is to US. During
the Seven Years War Frederick kept on
foot an army OF about 2OO,OUO men.
The maintenance OF such force with
his slender financial resources in a Tune
of peace would have been an Astonishing
feat. But Frederick fought his 200, GOO.
never sparing ball and powder, and
carted provisions for them, and each
winter filed up the gsps, pro-
yiding new clothing and weapons, upon
var-budget which never exceeded Sl5,-
100, 900. 1t is true that when he came
TO the throne and made his first dash
upon Silesia he boosted of full treasu-
~; but that full treasury was swiftly ex-
hausted. Moreover, the wonder is
pushed only a little further back. How
did his father Frederick William keep on
foot 90, 600 men, the best-eqnipped army
in Europe, spend great deal IN the i'm
provement Of his kingdom, and leave be-
hind him an overflowing treasury upon q
revenue enormously less than Frede-
rick's
The story of Frederick's thrift is told
by CARLYLE in Volume VII. OF his His
tory, commencing at page 81. and an
amazing tale it surely is. Carlyle gives
his war-budget item by item for single
year-namely, 1851. Out OF his Prus-
sian countries ho got four millions OF
thslers; from Saxony and the other
countries which he squeezed and IN
demnitied, seven millions. His English
subsidy was eight millions, or 80, $50, 600 (;
the Munz-patent seven nlilllons-ln all
twenty-six millions of thaleTs, or little
over Sl5,00O,000. This was Frederick
the Greats war-budget for one year,
year IN which he enjoyed Pitts
subsidy. During several years OF the
war he had no English subsidy. Those
who remember Frederick depreciation
OF the Prussian coinage Will wonder the
less but the most curious part OF the
story is that the exiguous war-budget
Just described is expressed IN terms OF
the deprecated coinage. The twenty
six million of thslers were not solid sill
yer at all, but base metal plated. The
English subsidy in honest money would
have been only four millions, and is set
down as eight. With such revenue as
this Frederick the Great kept on foot
and fought an army Of 200,OO0 men, and
conquered against great odds.
The admiration of the historian-un-
less, indeed, there be some monstrous
error in his fgures-is natural enough.
$40 me-" writes Carlyle, "nothing is 80
wonderful As Friedrich's budget during
this war. One day 1t VIII be carefully
investigated, elucidated, and made con
ceivable and certain to mankind. We
walk about in it with astonishment /;
almost, were it possible, with incre-
dnlity. Expenditure on this side, work
done ON that human nature. especially
English human nature, refuses to
believe it. Never in the world be-
fore or since was seen the like. Tho
Friedrich miracles in war are great, but
those in finance are almost greater. |"
Indeed, the historian might have said
simply "are greater" il his facts be in
deed, as we take them to be, correct.
Yalor and good generalship have often
enabled small armies to triumph over
great but poverty 30 dire and military
performances 30 great are wonderful in
deed. When We contemplate them we
cannot but ask how it is that while we
pour out annually such streams of trea-
sure, the result in capacity for war, often
siye or defensive. is so very much the re-
verse LISA question which admits OF no
simple answer. But there is one con-
sideration which may be found to in
clude great deal of the truth. Prussia
in q certain sense belonged to Frederick.
When he saved thaler he saved it for
himself. When he made thaler do the
work OF two or three or five the result
was SO much clear gain to him, to his
power and fame, and to the house OF
Hohenzolern. Prussia and the Prus-
sian Kings we're closely identified in in-
terest. The Prussian Kings may have
been patriotic, but q certain egoism, not
at all unnanly or unnatural, was ever
present in their minds, steadily rein
forcing and maintaining their public
spirit.
This wonderful ally Of the sentiment of
public duty still continues to operate at
the Heart of the Prussian monarchy OF
the German empire. Even at the centre
Of all German administration there is 3
mind TO which money iilspent, treasure
sqiandered without adequate return, is
personal loss, cause Of individual
anger and individual shame. What
matters it to TO our department officials
that pound should only produce five
shiliinRs worth of performance These
men receive their incomes and enjoy
their position ali the same. They are
-