The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-03-28
FRANCO-GERMAN
WAR Predicted
TGutOTS Fear Revenge Of
France.
PAPER GIVES GRIM WARN ING

European Trouble Occurs-Kaiser's
Subjects Hoardng Millions-French
Writer Points to Great Injury to Art
by War Scare.
The semiofficial Cologne Germany
Gazette published recently an extraor-
dinary leading article headed "The
Michief Maker" in which it says:
1T will not be difficult for the Ger
man government to justify the neces-
sity for the army increase if it will
only speak out plainly and, without
mincing words. indicate the point
| from which danger is threatened-as
all the world realizes, from France"
The paper says nobody underesti-
mates the gravity of the new condi-
tions in the Balkans, but when the
country is asked to make such heavy
sacrifices chapter and verse must be
given, and the governments finger
which there is immediate peril-that
| is, france. 1t ADDS:
Never were our relations with our
western neighbor so strained as to-
day. Never has the idea of revenge
been so openly faunted. Never has it
been so apparent that the French
made their Russian alliance and their
English friendship for the sole object
of recapturing Alsace-Lorraine.
Franco German War Certain.
zone thing is absolutely sure. When
ever the world catches fire the Ger
mans will have to cross swords with
the French. When that will happen
nobody can tell"
Wholesale realizations of foreign Sc
curities, notably Canadian Pacific
railway shares, are taking place In
Germany in order to relieve the un-
precedented famine of gold and mon
ey. The stock exchanges in Berlin
and elsewhere in Prussia were closed
on the centenary Of the nations rise
against the Napoleonic oppressor.
To procure money investors are sac
rificing their foreign holdings. This
condition has been brought about pri-
marily by the boarding craze which
has obsessed Germans since the out
break of the war in the Balkans. 1t
has not been lessened by the nervous
ness Of their own government, as mani
Tested by the gigantic army increase.
The sum now boarded by timid Ger
mans is estimated at between $112,-
100000 and $125, 100000. Merchants
and manufacturers report that 1t is be-
coming increasingly difficult to obtain
the payment Of bills even from custom
ers who have never before been delin-
quent.
Deficit In Banks.
Another aggravating factor is the
deficit caused by the withdrawal of
the immense balance which foreign
banks formerly kept on loan in Ger
many.
A money famine can only be relieved
from abroad. Gold must be imported
| England was drawn ON one week to
the extent of $1,500,OOO, and still heav-
Ter importations are in process of ar"
rangement with the United States.
at Is the end of French culture" is
cited as the opinion Of Anatole France
on the new French conscription bill in
an interview sent to the London Daily
News by Harold Spender from Paris
NJ. France is further quoted as follows
"This addition to the yearly conscrip-
ton comes on US just when France is
moving forward with new energy both
in science and industry. 1t will be q
grave blow to all our higher life. Medi
cine especially will be injured, for the
medicine of the army is not the medi
cine of the civil state. French science
requires the time of its young students
and that will be gravely curtailed. The
demand for another barrack year from
all young Frenchmen imposed without
exemptions will draw Off the best from
every field Of life.
Is Heavy Blow to Art.
at comes at a moment of great in
dustrial development 1t will CHECK
that development 1t comes at a mo
ment of expansion In our arts, espe
cially In sculpture, and 1t will be 6
heavy blow. Sculpture is not practiced
on the battlefield"
Mr.. Spender declares that the mill
tarist spirit is at present supreme II
France and that other voices are moi
likely to be heard, for the present a
least. The ordinary attitude of tht
Frenchman, he says, is one Of resigna
ton rather than aggression, but tht
cry "a Berlin" which resounde(
through the streets of Paris before
1870. has been rnised again