The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1892-11-18
GERMAN ARMY BILL.
More Than Six Hundred Thousand
Men Constantly Under Arms.
Uader the Law, In Time Of War. the
Military strength Would Bs SIX MIL
Hons -- Germsny's Tremendous
Dcbt-increased Population.

FRAsKFoRr, Nov. 12.-F'inance Is
gradually getting the better Of politics,
and decision between the two must be
coming on apacc. With debt OF four
billion roublcs, an unredeemed no Q
issue of about an equal amount ana a
several years deficit of something
like 500, 900, 900 roublcs, also uncov.
cred, Russians have again failed
to raise the contemplated loan
la France. Ardently as they may
wish TO pay off Russia against Ger
many, the French decline to send mon
ey TO their ought-to-be ally in mis-
straits. As the London and Berlin
markets are likewise closed 10 them, II
follows that che Russians have goss
be pacific or else to play some Desperate
trick II they wish 70 try and make
things square. Though incomparably
better of, Germany and France, TO say
nothing of Austria, Italy and the minoi
fry, are following in the wake Of the
tottcrlng car
Nothing daunted by the deficit OF So
900, 900 marks, the German government
proposes e. add about 100, 600 men TO its
900 marks year, so formidable an In
crease being required TO restore the
military equilibrium between the triple
and dual alliances Germany, as Italy
and Austria are losing breath, thinks
herself obliged to bear the brunt OF the
day, and do alone what her friends are
avowedly unable 10 take hand In. A
few figures will elucidate the strain put
upon Germany in consequence.
The German population, notwith-
standing an exodus OF 200, 900 a
year. has increased % per cent. within
the last twenty years OF the IS, 600 600
males included in 81 900, 900 inha bitants.
about $500, 900 being between 20 and -
years OF age, are liable to serve when
called out. Under the new bill rather
more than COCOON men are 10
be kept constantly under arms,
all able-bodied men being now
for the first time placed in tho
ranks This will cause the cancellation
OF 100. 600 exemptions hitherto annually
granted for reasons of economy. II this
Is fearful tax to bear in times OF
peace. the burden will be incomparably
augmented in war. when, with an an
nual recruitment of ESQ, 600 men, liable
to serve twenty-four years in line and
reserve, the army, after allowing for
deaths and invalids, must be estimated
Mt about 5000, 600. or two-thirds OF all
able-bodied males in the prime of life
The present figure of 100000 was
considered the acme of military effort
compatible with the continuance of
civic life; the future total suggests no
longer an army but an armed nation,
on the pattern OF the ancient Teutonic
tribes when on the war-path. What was
natural enough two thousand years
ago is the reverse in these modern
times; what was a spontaneops, eff
fort on the part or primitive tribes.
rejoicing in dealing and receiv-
ing death, is left an accursed infiic-
ton upon pacific race bent upon de-
Tense only, and threatened by French
vanity and Russian savagery. neverthe-
less Looking upon things from pure
ly arithmctical point of view, and
drawing inevitable conclusions there
from, il i hardly to be wondered at
that the leading military writers of
Great Britain should just have combin-
ed To pile volume on the chances of
what they represent as "the Immediate
ly impending war"