New-York tribune., 1896-11-27
GEPUiN DEBTS AND SHIPS.

Tho most striking features Of the Imperial
Budget. which Dr Miguel has just laid before
the German Rcichsrag. are itS deficit ana It's
naval appropriation The former amounts in
round numbers 10 S142I0U0 The Minister
propo,cs TO meet It by a loan. and consequent
increase 10 that extent of the bonded debt of the
Empirr The amount is not large. certainly not
in comparison with the sums by which the debts
Of other nations have been increased Nor does
The total imperial indebtedness seem large. be-
ing onlv about $500 ovNWo. while that Of Franc"
is over Sinw WjOWO ~ the United Kingdom
$:..3,nrpWH. Of Au>irla-llungary h''ri!
S3nnuppn and az Russia and Italy S2."D.-
uuorr each II must b" borne IN nnd. now
ever that in addition ro the imperial debt nearly
every German State has big debt of lis own
That of Prussia is over Sl..an.wn.w~. ana that
Of Bavaria S3el el.nWw~ The total State lnd"bi-
,dn.ss i about S231Jmo.Wp. which added 10
The imperial dch' makes a grand total of S2>'''.-
uOorup Every marh added 10 such mass "f
obligations j. sure to rouse som" criticism AMI
complaint from the people. upon whom I'll" bur
den must Ultimately rest.
Tn. cause uf This deficit i To be found in the
nava, appropriation Dr Mlu" proposes 10
rXpcnd upon the navy no less than S:;2.juo.Wo
AN Increase of SliWp.w~ nearly over the al'-
preparation OF last year. This Increase Is for
fh. building of new ships. Slj;,cou~o being
specifically S.i apart for that purpose. There
ar, :, hr built one first class baitlc-shlp. two
second class cruisers. a dispatch boat TWO gun
boats ana number Of iorpclo-boaiS: all these
in addition to the Other new vessels already de-
cd,d upon and being built. which comprise two
hr>i-cla>S batil.--hps. seven cruisers and "A lot
II minor craft. This years appropriation will
serve not Ia complete them. but merely 10 pay
an lnsialmcni upon them. 80 that while the extra
appropriation is set down in the Budget a> NON
recurring expenditure. II viii "a matter of
fact have 10 br repeated in each Of several years
10 come
This Increase Of expenditure may indeed he
taken as 'hc br~inning of an era OF great hawai-
expansion in Germany. This j. indicated by an
article written by an officer Of the general STAFF
in the "Miliiirwochcnblatt" of Berlin The lead
ing military journal of the Empire and one hav-
ing almost an official character. Germany. this
writer urges should have navy stronger than
that Of any other Power in the world with the
single exception Of Great Britain. II should be
strong enough. in fact. 10 protect the German
coast. and nj the same time so engage the Brit
ish fleet ~ to give German transports oppor-
tunity to land an army in England. That vision
may by many be rcckoncd fantastic. But that
an officer Of the general staff should venture TO
act it. forth IN n Scmotiicial journal proves that
II Is not regarded with disfavor in the highest
quarters. The Empcrors deslW for powerful
fleet has long been known. The next few years
bid fair to see It gratfed. OF course TINT will
lmpcl France and Russia to make corresponding
additions to their naves. until ELL the narrow
seas are crowded with mcnacing bun untricd
armadas.