New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-08
GERMANY SEES DANGER
Is Preparing Against Pan-Slav-
ism and French ChauvlnlSm.
BRITAIN A PACIFIC FACTOR
Western Neighbor Believes Her
self at Least as Strong as
the Fatherland.


the Fatherland.
Berlin. April DIR. Won Bethmann
Hollweg. the Imperial Chancellor while
submitting the governments bills in
creasing the army and introducing new
forms Of taxation in the Imperial Par
lament to-day. delivered striking
speech. the keynote OF which was "A
European connagration in all PROBABLE
ity will not occur but If outside forces
should threaten Us Germany must
stand ready with her last man
The good intentions If the French
and Russian governments were beyond
question. declared the Chancellor. but
Germany must reckon with the great
force Of modern public opinion which,
i'm the form Of French warlike patriot
ism and Russian pan-Slavism. threat
, ened the peace Of the world against the
wishes Of the great masses Of both
peoples.
II was noteworthy that IN the chan
cellor's speech Great Britain was re-
feIred 10 only as a pacific factor. Or.
Won Bethmann-Holl although in
dicating by his manner that he had lit
tie belief IN The practicability Of the
suggestion made by Winston Spencer
Churchill the First Lord Of the British
Admiralty for years naval holiday.
said Germany was willing TO consider
concrete proposals. from the British
government
Condit ons Radically Changed.
The Imperial Chancellor opened las
speech by pointing out that the
strength of the army had not kept pac"
with the growth Of the German ma
ton. and asked: Can Germany al
low itself the luxury Of dispensing with
tens of thousands of trained soldiers"
The conditions Of Europe, he said
have been radically changed by the
Balkan war which had substituted for
the passive European Turkey other
states Of feyerish political activity
They were, he continued. factors OF
progress indeed. but should a great
European conflagration between Ger
manism and Pan-Slavism come this
change would alter the balance in Ger
many's disfavor. This. however. he
said. does not alter the case that |
consider this conflict probably will be
avoided.
The Chancellor declared he had made
special efforts since assuming office To
cultivate good relations with Russia.
and he believed the Russian ruler and
the Russian ministers reciprocated. but
the events Of the war had greatly
strengthened the Pan-Slav current in
Russia which was a danger for peace.
Germany. the Chancellor added, had
been working to mitigate the Austro-
Russian tension, but should war break
out the German Empire would unhesi-
tatingly fight beside her ally.
Bismarck's Saying Recalled.
The Chancellor then reiterated Prince
Bismarck's saying: If the French
wait for us TO attack them they will
wait forever" adding that Bismarck
foresaw a French attack on Germany
whenever a warlike government or one
seeking relief from its internal difficult
ties by INDUCING in foreign activity
came To the helm and when the French
had reason To believe themselves
stronger than Germany.
The French nation. he said. as
whole was not striving for war. but
Bismarck's contingency had been ma
terializcd regarding wide circles Of the
French people not only among the
fanatically patriotic. but also among
the more peaceful and thoughtful ele-
ments of the nation.
The French believe themselves if not
superior at least equal to Germany, de-
clared the Chancellor. Perhaps there
was much Illusion in the beliefs that
had been reawakened in France but it
must be borne in mind that the war Of
1879 was begun upon illusions. The
present French Cabinet, he admitted
was peaceful. but the power of public
opinion and the pressure Of the loudest
shouters must be reckoned with
General Won Heeringen. Minister for
War. spoke briefly and without giving
details of the military measures which
will be communicated in confidence TO
the committees Of the Imperial Parlia-
ment.
Hugo Haose 81 Socialist member