The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-13

THE ARMY BILL.
Ohancelior Caprlvi Urges Its Adoption by
the Special Committee

BERLIN, Jan. 12.-Chancellor Won Ca
priu last night attended a meeting Of
the Reichstag committee OF twenty-eight,
appointed to consider the Army bill and
made an important speech. setting forth
the necessity for the adoption OF the bill
without change or modification, referring
to the relations existing between Ger
many and Russia. The Chancellor de-
clared that there was no enmity between
EmpeTor William and the Car and
neither was there any enmity between the
two Governments. With regard 10 the re-
iations between France and Russia, Won
CapriVi said probably entente in regard
10 military arrangements existed between
those two countries. He then referred to
the possibility of an attack being made
upon the nations composing the Triple
Alliance-Gcrmany. Austria and Italy
and said that II such an attack was made
the chief onslaught of the attacking forces
would doubtless be directed against Ger
many, as the strongest member OF the
Triple Alliance. Experience has shown
that when war threatened II was best for
Germany TO take the offensive.
To DO that would require that the
srmies Of the triple alliance have a con-
siderable numerical superiority. AS
6atter Of fact. he triple alliance was
IN Inc minority in point Of numbers. Ger
many's long eastern frontier, especially,
could only be protected by employing
offensive tactics. An offensive policy was
good policy. 1t m sLnt short wars with
quick victories and lasting results. All
this could be obtained only by assuming
The offensive. Germauy's present forces
would no longer suffice against the in
creased strength Of their opponents The
government, therefore. would not be able
10 take the responsibility Of the future
defe nse OF the country unless the arma
mcnts were increased.
The chief object OF the alliance with
Italy. he said. was TO secure Austri0s s
southern frontier against France. lie did
not doubt the efficiency Of the Austrian
and Italian armies. although some weak
ness in their organization still existed.
To add force 10 the arguments ad-
varced in support of the measure. the
Chancellor read memoranda, made in
1889 by the late Count Won Moltke. in
which that great authority compared the
military strength Of Germany and France.
The Chancellor laid much stress upon a
passage occurring in the memoranda in
which Won Moltke said:
I'VE are able to ward an attack from
France; otherwise the German Empire
could not exist Even II we lose the
first battle. we have the Rhine defences,
which are not equaiied in the world be-
sides Metz and Strasburg II. however.
two Of our neighbors united and attacked
us we would require the assistance of
another power"
In the course Of his speech Won Caprivi
made an extended reference 10 the in
ternal condition Of France. That country,
he said, was in a state of ferment.
Though there was no statesman in that
country at the present moment of such
prominence as 10 be likely to seize the
power. the probability of a dictatorship
was not to be excluded from German
calculations.
Speaking Of the renewal of the Triple
Alliance upOr the expiration Of the pres
ent treaties, the Chancellor said that a
renewal, though hoped for. was not ab-
solutely certain.