Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-13
Won CAPRIVISPEAKS.
IMPORTANCE or THE GERMAN ARMY
BILL TO GERMANY.
The Triple Alliance and It's Enemies Tho
Kaiser Must Assume Always the
Offensive. and Why.
tBy ByAnslo-American cable to the Dispatch,

rBy yAnslo-American cable TO the Dispatch,
BERLIN. January 12-Chancellor Won
Capriyi last night attended 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 be-
tween Germany and Russia, the Chancellor
declared that there was no enmity between
the Emperor William and the Gar, and
that neither was there any enmity between
the two governments.
TRANcE AND RUSSIA
With respect TO the relations between
France and Russia. Won Capriyi said that
probably an entente in regard 10 military
arrangements existed between those Two
countries. .,
He then referred TO the possibility OF an
attack beng made upon the nations COM
prislng the Triple Alliance-Germany,
Austria. and Italy-and said that If such
an attack were made the chief onslaught
OF the attacking force would doubtless be
directed against Germany, rs the stronges,
member of the alliance. Experience had
shown that when war threatened III was
To do that would require that the armies
Of the Triple Alliance should have con-
siderable numerical superiority. AS a
matter of fact, the Triple Alliance was IN
the minority IN point of numbers. Ger
mAny's long eastern frontier especially
could only he protected by employing Oh
fensive tactics.
THE OFFENSIVE POLICY.
An offensive policy was q good policy.
II meant short wars with quick victories
and lasting results. All .his could be OBJ
tanned only by assuming the offensive.
Germany's present forces would no longer
suffice against the increased strength OF
their might-be opponents. The govern
ment. therefore, would not be able 10 take
the responsibility of the future defence OF
the country unless the armaments were In
creased. go
The chief object OF the alliance with
Italy, he said. was to secure Austrias
southern frontier against France. He did
not doubt the efficiency of the Austrian
and Italian armies, although some weak
ness in their organization still existed.
GERMANY AND FRANCE.
To add force to the arguments advanced
in support OF the measure, the Chancellor
read memoranda made in 1899 by tho late
Count Won Moltke. in which that great
authority compared the military strength
of Germany and France.
The Chancellor laid much stress upon
passage occurring in the memoranda, IN
whicn Won Moltke SAID: I'VE are able to
ward of an attack from France. otherwise
the German empire could not exist. Even
if we lose the first battle we have the
Rhine defences. which are not equalled in
the world. besides Metz and Strasburg.
If. however. two of our neIghboTs should
attack US we would require the assistance
of an other power
FRANCES PRESENT CONDITION.
In the course of his speech, Won Caprivi
made an extended reference to the inter-
nal condition OF France. That country.
he said. was IN a state Of ferment. Though
there was no statesman there at the pres
ent moment of such prominence as to be
likely to seize power, the probability OF a
dictatorship was not 70 be excluded from
German calculations.
Speaking of a renewal of the Triple
Alliance upon the expiration of the present
treaties, the Chancellor said that renewal,
though hoped for, was not absolutely GER
tain.