Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-12-08
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the German army no detail has been
forgotten. As part of its almost perfect
preparation for possible war there 10
the Reichskriegschatx-the Imperial
War Fund, which is kept in the Julius
Tower at Spandau. This fund, which
was reserved from the French indem-
nifty payment, and which, says the
Belfast News, has lately been doubled
In size, now amounts to sixty million
dollars.
This sum is kept entirely out Of cir
calation aud costs the community in
lost interest alone at least six hume rcd
Thousand pounds a year. Tue war
trssure h entirely In gold, silver and
currency, and may be used DOLLY to pay
the expenses OF the army after war has
broken out. 1t is truly bioodmoney.
The Julius Tower Ia the center OF the
Citadel OF spandau, the chief fortifca-
tion of Berlin. Spandsu has repeatedly
fallen into the hands OF an enemy.
During the Seven Years War 1t was
taken by the Russians. From October
70, 1906, until April 20, 1913, the
French under Napoleon held the for
trees. Germans feel sure, however,
that to-day their army Is too powerful
TO make such calamity possible.
The Julius Tower is built OF solid
blocks Of basalt. Its foundations go
ten feet lower than the bed of the river
Spree. According to tradition, the
tower was begun by julius Caesar.
The money is kept In iron boxes,
labeled with the names and addresses
Of commanders Of army corps aud
sdmirals of fleets. These packages
would be Immediately dispatched TO
the commanders named at the out
break of war. Special sums are also
provided for special purposes, such as
secret service and the work Of spies.
The greater part of the treasure consists
of German twenty-and ten-mark gold
pisces. There are, however, quantities
of coins of all the great powers OF the
world, bur principally Of France, En-
gland and Russia
For use on the Russian from Ter
silver is provided.
All these parcels Of money are open
ed, weighed and counted at irresular
intervals, but at least five times every
year, 10y army officers appointed by
the Kaiser, aud draw from all parts
of the country. These officers have to
give their word Of each other. Although
the Julius Tower fluids are in charge
of a special curator, that functionary
is not always advised of the proceed
ings beforehand, and only when the
kalsers special deputies have flushed
their WORK is he called in to check up
the accounts.
The Fourth Guard Grepadier Regi-
ment and battery Of the Third Guard
Grensdiefs look after the defense Of the
Julius Tower. The Third Train Bat
talon, stationed within the citadel, is
ready at moments notice to conduct
the war treasures to the various des-
tinations. In the tower itself no gas
or electric light is permitted. 1t 10
lighted entirely from the outside.
At Irregular hours OF the night the
inside of the tower is searched for
thieves or burglars by means Of ladders
brought from the citadel and manned
by engineers, who use swinging Tampa
10 light the interior. While the search
is in progress, the regular lower gar
risons and sentinels hold their rifles In
readiness to shoot any suspected per-
son. There IL gaurd.room at the
very bottom, on the water level, to
prevent possible burglars from gaining
entrance to the secret crypts by tunnel
ing. A second guard-room is establish
ed behind the only entrance door. its
purpose is to defend the entrance and
the only staircase leading to the vaults.
Before each of the vaults sentinels
are stationed, and sentinels are con-
stantly passing up and down the
staircase. A third guard.rcom IS
established under the roof, with look
outs IN all directions. Youth Com