Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-11
THE EUROPEAN PROBLEM.

The Russo-Italian enthusiasm for
gradual disarmament Is likely to meet
with cold reception in Germany, The
Kaiser is quoted as saying that Ger
many cannot dlsarm, even If other ma
tions are unable to equal her military
forces. He adds that the country re-
celves ample recompense for it's milf
tary expenditures, "in discipline OF
character and wholesome training OF
the boy"
Possibly these Views viii be some'
what modified when the Russian and
German sovoregns have discussed the
propositions that. are to be made by
King Victor Emmanuel Germany GER
ialnly has an admirable army, but 1t
Is not large enough to make the triple
alliance unnecessary, and no expendi-
lures the patriotic Germans can afford
to make can render the country en-
tirely independent Of political comblna.
lions. Should Italy be In earnest and
threaten to detach Itself from the drei-
bund, the arguments for reasonable
reduction of the military equipment,
might assume added Importance even
IN Germany. The stand taken by the
Italian king is thought to be very pop
ular in his country where the people
are growing FESTIVE under the excessive
taxation. In France. too, the necessity
for retrenchment In this respect has
made itself felt for a long time, and
possibly Italy would find In union with
the dual alliance a way out Of her pres
ent burdensome role IN the triple ALI
ance. II will be very interesting to see,
If the two monarchs now interested in
the disarmament proposition really are
IN earnest
The statement that Germany is bene-
fitted by her enormous sacrifices on the
altar Of Mars, is not to be taken literal
~. when 100000 men are withdrawn
from productive work and thrown upon
the general resources OF the country,
the problematlc training" they re.
celye in military camps and barracks
Is but a poor compensation for the fin
ancial and moral loss sustained. Re-
cent wars have shown, besides. that
the mechanical drill of a soldier is
poor substitute for the intelligence and
self-relianoe of citizens trained in the
school Of patriotism.
But, no matter whether the PROPOSE
ton this time meets with favor in Ger
many or not, the agitation has com
menced and will go on. As already
stated, France has commenced reduc-
ton OF her forces without waiting for
international agreement A bill has
been presented which will reduce the
term OF service with the colors 10 two
years, which on the present basis will
reduce the army during times Of peace
to $4,000 men. from 100000. This will
reduce the tax burdens considerably,
and II Russia and Italy follow the ex-
ample Of France, with the understanding
that these countries will mutually de-
fend one another In case OF war, Ger
many can have no object in keeping
her army on the present ruinous foot
ing.
The movement for army reduction Is
an economic necessity The idea OF the
n1onarchs that have taken the lead Is,
that the nations must devote them
selves to industrial enterprises, II they
are not going TO be dstanced by the
United States. SIN, in this country that
movement should create no apprehen-
sion. II millions OF European soldiers
are restored TO productive aotiyitythere
VIII be more prosperity in Europe than
there Is now. And that will mean more
trade.