The Daily Missoulian., 1913-03-23
STRENGTH IS ADDED
TO GERMAN ARMY
ONE EFFECT OF BALKAN WAR Is
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF
EMPEROR'S TROOPS.

Berlin March 22.-NOt the least ot
the effects of the Balkan war has been
the great increase in the numerical
strength of the German army, mill
tary step which already is causing
other countries to stregthen their fight
ing forces, and which the German peo-
pie will have to meet by liberal contri-
buttons from their private purses.
Since Germany enlarged her army
France has returned to the three-year
period of enlistment for her soldiers,
and Russia, Austria Hungary and Italy
are preparing to increase their armies
by large numerical additions.
The Balkan allies have not only de-
molished Turkey in Europe, but by
demonstrating the existence of for
midable military power on the south
ern border of Germany's ally Austria
Hungary, they have compelled the
German general staff to rewrite all
Moltkes plan for great European
war; add 100000 men to Germany 5
Standing army; to call upon the people
TO contribute $250,0OO,000 for national
defense, and to increase the yearly ex-
penditure on account of the army by
$55,O00,000. 1t is notable that a greater
part of this money for defense is to
be expended on the Russian and not on
the French frontiers of Germany,
fact which disproves the theory that
Franco German rivalry is responsible
for the extensive military preparations
of the empire.
Count Moltke's plan for meeting
joint attack by France and Russia.
the famous war on two fronts" con-
templated a delaying action by the
Austrian army, assisted by several
German army corps, against the enor
nous hut slowly mobilizing Russian
army, while the main force of the Ger
man army should be hurled against
the French frontier Austria now
finds that large part of her army is
tied up on the southern frontier to
oppose the Servjans and Montenegrins
with their Bulgarian and Greek allies,
and she has informed the German gen
eral staff that she can not spare for
use against Russia the number Of
troops contemplated in the Moltke
project. Germany now has to make
good this deficiency, and she is pre-
pairing to spend millions on fortifca-
tions on her eastern 'front.' facing Rus
sia. Otherwise, in case Of war, she
would find Russian army in full
career for Berlin before the German
army could satisfactorily smash"
the French defenses.
Next Christmas will be a meagre
one for German families if the pro-
posed plan for financing the army bill
is adopted. 1t contemplates a general
"war-tax," such as was levied in the
Middle Ages by local princes when
they went forth to war The first
contribution to the fund of $250,000,000
is to be assessed upon the property
holders of the empire, each one being
called upon to give up certain pro-
portion Of his wealth. On the basis
Of the estimated wealth of the nation
this tax, it is figured, will amount to
at least one-half of one per cent, or
five dollars on every thousand. But
if the poorer classes are exempted as is
proposed, and a graduated scale adopt
ed, the better classes may be called up
on to give up as high as two per cent ant
millionaires up to five per cent Of
their wealth Many Of the landown.
ing families of the German aristocracy
who are already living UP to their full
income in keeping their sons in the
army, navy and higher governmental
positions, will be unable to raise the
assessment from their incomes, ant
will have to throw portion of thei
property on the market.
That the bill will be adopted and tn.
money raised, however, no one doubts
The Socialist party will vote agains
the measure, but the other parties il
the Reichstag will support it unani
mously. probably without debate.
,While Germany will tax incomes t,
pay for her armed camps, Austria i
going to raise money to meet the ex
penses Of government by exactinl
tribute from her people every tim
anybody strikes a match. The ney
tax is to lbe two -fifths of a cent box
which Is more than the retail price o
the matches itself
New taxes are no more popular il
Austria than elsewhere, and the publ
is protesting vigorously against thi
latest levy. The proprietors of tn
"'Gasthauser," or cheap restaurant
and wine- rooms, have held a meetin
at which it was decided no longer t
place free matches on the tables, bl
it is doubtful if this petty econom
really will be carried out. The min
lister of finance indeed argues that tn
match tax is SO small that it will no
be felt at all; according to his estimat
1T will amount to from sixteen I
twenty cents per head of the tota
population per annum. The minste
calculates that this levy will brin
into the imperial exchequer somethin
like $4,000 or $2,250,0OO a year. bu
as the consumption of matches Is Ger