The sun., 1892-12-14

4 Co. Some OF these officials were convicted
OF false witness by papers bearing their
own signatures. The manner in which inc
documents fell into AHLwARDT's hands is
characteristic of the spirit nnimating the
promoters OF the anti-Semitic agitation.
An officer who was indebted to jew Tor
borrowed money, finding it impossible to
obtain further accommodation in the shape
either OF an additional loan or OF an extern
sion Of the time Of payment. determined TO
cast obloQuy upon his creditor and the
whole Jewish race; and to that end turned
over to AHLwARpr some discriminating doc
umcnts in his possession. after which he Is
said to have committed suicide.
1t is noteworthy that these papers, which
testified to the corruptibility of German
military boards and to the worthlcssncss OF
many of the rifles furnished to the German
army. were not read in open court. ana
would never havc been given to tho world
had not copy of them been surrcptiti ously
obtained and published In Paris ncwsra-
per The publication had distinct effect
on the solution of the French Ministerial cri-
sis which was then pending Tho discovery
that at least half of the rifles used by tho
German soldiers were likely to he rendered
worthless at tho first discharge came stimuli
taneously with Chancellor CApRlvls dccla-
ration that largo increase OF tho German
army was Indispensable to the defence OF
tho German empire. The obvious deduction
from such revelations and admissions was
TINT tho sooner Franco went To war tho bet
ter, and for the first time since the downfall
fthe LOUBEr Cabinet it was recognized in
Paris that even tho Panama scandal was
matter OF subordinate Importance to the
maintenance OF a stcadfast policy in tho
Foreign Oilice and War Office, and TO tho
furtherance Of u good understanding with
tho Gar. There can be-. indeed. no doubt
that from tho moment the German arms
scandal suggested that the opportunity of
Franco might be close at hand, both the
Chamber of Deputies and French public
opinion underwent profound reaction rs
to the relative moment of the Panama ques-
tion and of international relations. and
recognized tho paramount necessity Of re-
taining NJ. RIBor and NJ. DE FREYc1SET in
the departments over which they had for
mcrly presided.
On the other hand, the effect In Germany
Of The grave doubt thrown by tho dis
closures made at the AHLwARDr trial on
the trustworthiness of German military
boards and the efficiency Of the arms fur
nishcd to German soldiers should be to
strengthen the enemies of CAPR1vI in the
Reichstag. Tho latter may say that no
such charges were brought homo to the
German military authorities when Bis
MAKcK was at the head OF the Government.
and that a radical change of officials, from
the Chancellor and War Minister down.
ward. should take place before additional
appropriations Of money are made. or any
radical reconstruction Of the army is at
tempted. The feeling that some of the
present military authorities no longer de-
serve confidence is probably at the bottom
OF the popular dissatisfaction at the convc-
tion Of AHLwARDT. Il dissatisfaction which
found vent, while the trial was still pend
ing. in his election to the Reichstag by an
immense majority.