The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-11
ARBITRATION WINS GERMAN SUPPORT Idea Gaining Favor Among
 the People THE ARMY OF. RUSSIA Is Being Rapidly Reorganized. StOlypin Starts Vigorous Cam
 paign Against Finland for
 Political Purposes
By FREDERIcK WERNER

Berlin, June 10.-(Special.)- )-The progress of the arbitration idea especially in America, a country which we realize could far better afford the immense burden of a modern army and navy, as also in England and France, whose financial status are far better than Germany's, has made a very strong impression here and created powerful public opinion in favor of submitting all international differ ences to unbiased arbitrators, which is sure to make itself heard in the reich stag from the lips of such members who earnestly endeavor to be instruments or the peoples will. It is rather hard To prophecy when suitable opportunity will arise, and as it may take long before the subject is taken up in the reichstags I have interviewed several prominent members and asked them to express their opinion on international arbitration.
 Prof. Richard Erckhoff, one of the most influential members of the radical party, said: T am exceedingly interested in the question of arbitration treaties, and was not at all surprised when the news came from Washington that the United States was, willing to conclude an arbitration treaty with Germany. Once before. on No- vember 22, 1908, to be exact, we had reached the point of signing an agree ment of this kind, and the Kaiser in dispatch to President Roosevelt called it destined to become a powerful tie, which would establish permanent friendly rela- tions between Germany and the United States in the interest of civilization and the welfare of the whole world. On March B. 1909, I asked Herr Schoen, the pres ident of the reichstag, to give me all the information he could about this treaty, and he replied:
 It is not our fault that this treaty is not now in force, and some day I am firmly convinced we shall be able to over come the Instructions in it's path"
 Professor Paasche. member of the na- tional liberal party, whom l then ap- preached, spoke very much in the same vein.
 "Eyerything we see happen now" he said "tends to prove that all nations are anxious to reach a mutual understanding. Arbitration treaties, however, which leave out vital questions are of little or no value. Every question without exception must be submitted to arbitration and 1 was sorry to see man like eX-President Roosevelt express himself as opposed to tkls. Personally I do not think the world will see another great war between large civilized powers, not in Europe at any rate A war between Germany and France. for instance, would be a crime, and this is realized in both countries
 The socialist, pr. F'rancll said
 Arbitration treaties are feasible and de- sirable between all states. l do not in a general way attach much importance to the visits of monarchs, but when they do take place, we should rejoice that utter ances of friendly feelings are exchanged because they express popular feeling. There does not at present exist a single international question over which the Ger man people would willingly go to war, and I am convinced that popular feeling in all other countries is just the same. --.e suggestion of universal arbitration might as well come from the governments now, for the time is not far away when the people will demand 1t in no uncertain tones"
 The reorganization of the Russian army is making headway. True, pro- gress is much slower than was reason ably anticipated, while the results are slender in proportion to the time, labor and money spent in producing them Still they connote progress, not stag nation. A bill has just been laid be- fore the duma which will, it is hoped, tend to render the troops more con tented, to improve the spirit of the army and to better it's physique.
 "A bill for modifying the law of mili- tary service" is the title of the new measure, the principal aim of which is to reduce the privileges heretofore ac- corded to young men on account of do- nestle conditions, as recompense for certain standard of education, or as a corollary of their professions (clergy men, etc) Another effect of the new law will be to double the length of time during which volunteers" must serve
  in details, 1t Is certain that the law it. self is urgently needed. Military ser vice in Russia, universal in theory, was restricted in practice, in consequence of various exemptions and the eXten- sive abuse made of them. In the year 1907, for instance, 1t was ascertained that the contingent called to arms, in- stead of numbering 1,303,000 men, as it ought to have done, melted away to 407,000. When so vast number of able bodied men evade the operation centage of these who have to be &C., cepted as recruits in their place are men of poor physique.
 But none of the changes aimed at by the bill dispose of the thorny problem of the officers and non commissioned of- ficers Whenever the army is being mobilized, the various departments which take no part in the fighting, clamor for men to fill the numerous cordingly nominated. and the active army becomes dangerously short t-hand- ed in consequence. That is one defect. As for the non-commissioned officers, they are no longer as well trained, as jealous, as trustworthy as they were. The short service system has dealt them stunning blow. The period dur n h tol, L..