The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
THE GERMAN ARMY BILL.

The German army bill is just now the
centre Of attraction in Europe Al'er
long discussion OF the measure II was
defeated yesterday by majority "a
savertv-three. The Emperor mas ue-
cIared that should II fail I'm tho present
German parliament. he viii imfheuiateS
dissolve that body and call new one
and proceed In this way until ne couio
get together Relchstag when woula
comply with his wishes. But, TO snow
70 what extent Of independence the
German Socialists have arrived, one OF
them IN the Reichstag declared openly
that II the Emperor pursued such
course he would start "a revolution from
above" that would be promptly met by
"a revolution from below"
The original bill provided for COM
piete rearrangement OF the terms of SER
vice I'm the army. The war strength OF
the German army at present Is about
100000 men, while the war strength OF
France is estimated at $4,000 men.
Moreover the laws Of France provide for
such an Increase that it is estimated
that in 1914 the French army on a war
footing will out-number the German by
$4,000 men. 1t was to obviate this dis
advantage without unduly gripping the
industries Of Germany, that the present
bill was drawn.
At present the German army (Which IT,
OF course, on a peace footins) numbers
4s6,9S3 mon. who are kept with the colors
for three years. After serving for three
years the recruits are mustered into The re-
serves. where each must serve four years.
This service employs the recruits time In
reviews and nanocuvres Tor about four
months In each year after this service
tho soldier passes into the Landwehr
where his duties are lessened to attend
ance on brief reviews twice a year. Even
after this period is passed the able-bodied
male German is not exempt from mill
tary duty, but is member OF the Land
strum, or the reserve territorial troops.
until he passes the age of forty-two.
The problem Of increasing the active
strength Of the army is, therefore, a
II is accomplished in the bill under dis
cussion is by increasing the number OF
recruits. At present $4,000 men are year
ly added to the German army II is
proposed in the future to enlist yearly
$4,000 men, who shall serve for two
years instead OF three In this manner
the strength Of the standing army viii be
maintained and at the same time the
force Of the reserves greatly increased.
The chancellor estimates that with this
system Germany will have a war force
In 1914 Of $4,000 men, or $4,000 men
more than France at the same period.
This measure met with robust opposi-
ton among the eight or nine political
groups which compose the Reichstag,
and, but for the power of the Govern
ment, which is sim very great, 1t would
have been defeated long ago. SO great
was the opposition, however, in spite Of
the Government, that the Emperor was
finally induced TO offer compromise 10
the effect that the bill should
| call for an increase OF $1,000
| instead of 10000 men in the peace effec-
tive, made the length of military service
required two years, and reduced the new
field batteries from six to four guns.
| This was accepted BY Freiherr Won Huene.
especially as the proposition TO increase
| the tax on beer was also promised TO
| be abandoned. Still this compromise
| had no effect on the Reichstag, and now
the future of political movements in Ger
many viii be watched with the deepest
interest.