Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-15

BERLIN, May 14.-During the debate in
the Reichstag to-day on the military bill,
General Verdy Du Vernois, Minister Of
War, explained the provisions Of the meas
ure, and addressed the House in its support.
He urged that Germany should keep pace
with the other powers. and reorganize her
army. He pointed out that the work Of re-
organization required time, and that the
army could not suddenly be placed on
proper level.
Field Marshal Count Won Moltke also
spoke in support of the bill. The European
situation, he said, is always growing more
difficult. 1t is imperative that Germany
should have a strong military system. A
strong government will alone be able to
maintain peace. Despite the pacifying as
surances Of foreign powers, Germany must
herself provide for her own security. He
believed that all the powers are peacefully
disposed, but security can only be attained
by Germany's own efforts. There is no one
who does not hesitate to throw match into
the powder barrel.
PREPARED FOR PEACE.
The better the army is organized, and the
more prepared it is for war the more would
other powers be inclined to maintain peace.
OF course, he continued, the maintenance
of the army on war footing demands the
expenditure of large amounts Of money.
But the country should not hesitate to ex-
pend whatever sums NAV be necessary. The
point to be carefully considered is this: IT
we economize in our war expenditures the
most brilliant financial situation
that we may be able to create will
not insure the exclusion of our enemies from
Fatherland.
Count Won Moltke declared that the days
OF war waged by Cabinets are past. The
elements that now threaten peace are
found among the people. The cupidity
OF the classes less favored by fortune at
home, and their occasional attempts to OBJ
tain rapid improvement Of their
abroad - these dangerous elements
are producing everywhere discomfort
and may at any moment precipitate a war
even against the will of the Government.
For Government not strong enough to op-
pose the passions of the people and the en-
deavors Of parties constitutes permanent
danger OF war.
A CONSTANT MENACE.
When the war that for the past decade
has hung like Damocles' sword over our
will be able to foresee. The mightiest powers,
armed as they never were before,
will be engaged. Nor can either
of them be so completely
overthrown in one or two campaigns as to
admit itself vanquished, and conclude
peace on hard terms, or as unable to renew
the struggle after the lapse of year. 1t
might be seven years war or even 80
years war. Woe to him who sets the
match.
Herr Richter, the leader of the
Progressist Liberals, said that while the
preamble to the bill justified the measure
by a reference to the increase of the peace
effective of the French army, the House
ought to consider that this increase in France
was accompanied by reduction in the time
of service to two years. He was of the
opinion that two years compulsory term OF
service in the German army would also be
sufficient for the interests of the Empire.
OPINIONS OF THEIR OWN.
He maintained that the Reichstag ought
to form its own views and not form decis-
ion based on the views of two prominent
military officers.
General Verdy Du Vernois replied that
the Government. when asking for previous
credits, had never maintained that the in
crease then demanded was final
DR.. Windthorst moved to appoint COM
mittee to consider the annual fixing of the
peace footing and the shortening OF the term
of military service.
The Minister of War replied that rhe
Federal Governments were preparing bill
to reorganize the army. and that chance
would be afforded in the near future to dis
cuss the subject of shorter service. For the
present. he said, the Government would
make no concessions