The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-17
Tie German Army Bill Virtually De-
iratel.

1t looks as II the fight for the army bill
in the EeichStaG were practically over. and
as il that measure were irreparaby lost, at
all events in its present form. In spite Of
the Chancellor's declaration that every fca-
ture OF it was indispensable, and that the
Government wished it to be passed Just as
it was framed, it was referred on the mo-
ton of III opponent to u committee OF
twenty-cight, made up mainly of its enc
mics. Should it ever rcappear, it will be in
II shape unacceptable to its authors. CA
rKIvI. in word has failed where BISMARCK
invariably succeeded; for in the teeth OF
resistance the latter always cxtorted from
the Rcichstag the additions to the army
which he deemed essential to it's efficiency
Tho bill had been pushed through the
Bundcsrath. or Federal Senate. and it is
possible that it might also have been car
ricd through the popular branch Of the
legislature had its chief advocate been a
consummatc wircpulcr and great orator.
who. moreover. could have thrown into tho
scale the weight of II tremendous person.
atty crdcurcd by incstimablc services to
every patriotic heart. Yet. in Justice To
CArKIvl. it must be said that the parlia-
ncntary situation was more difficult than
that which nEy of BISMAECK's military
measures encountered. BISMARCK never
entered upon IL contest in the Rcchstar
where questions relating TO the army were
concerned. without the cordial and unoucs-
toning support OF nearly half he members,
and all he had to do was to win over q sufli-
cient number of waverrrs.
Tho proposcr of the present bill, on the
other hand. could count only upon luke
warm adhcrenls. while the various groups
In opposition. although their resistance
was based upon different grounds, showed
themselves equally intra"table to the
Chnnc"lor's appeals and arguments. Even
the Conservatives and lmpcriaists, who
used tOstand behind BISMARCK as iniieXib,e
rs CRoMwELLs lronsidcs. gave but Il hcsi-
Eating support to CAPRIvI's measure, be-
cause they looked nskancc at tho reduction
OF tho term or service from three years to
two. Contruliw!sc, the Clcricals or Con-
trlStS hailed this reduction with delight:
but they were unwilling TO pay the price
demanded for the concession namely. an
Increase in the number of the soldiers
serving under the coors during peace The
National Liberals. the Socialists, and the
FreistaniDc or Independent party contend
ed that the fiscal resources of the empire
could not bear the slightest addition to tho
existing military budget. Even the Poles.
whom CAPEIyI supposed he might reckon
on, insisted that their constituents were
already taxed To the limit Of endurance.
Whatever the motive or pretcxt of their
refractory attitude. the diverse elements of
the Opposition listened with stolid uncon-
Germ to the Chance!lors fervent adjura-
tons. and refused 10 be alarmed by the
yelled suggestion that the Triple Alliance
in the hour of trial might prove by no
means perfect safeguard, In vain did
CApEIvI remind the Reichstag that in the
war of 1870 the Germans entered France
with seventeen army corps, and had but
eight corps opposed 10 them. whereas in
the next contest France would put in the
Held number of trained soldiers at least
equal 10 all that Germany could muster. to
say nothing Of the danger that the last
named power might he compelled to detan
Il considerable fraction Of her force on the