The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-07-27
DISSATISFACTION IN
GERMANY PREVAILS s
Neither People Nor Govern
ment Pleased With the
New Army Bill.
KAISER ALONE SMILES
Masses Expected to Take Re-
venge on Legislature That
clay Down"
KAISER ALONE SMILES
BY FREDERICK WERNER.
,ciaI Cable 10 The Tribune

| Special Cable to The Tribune.
BERLIN, July 26.-Thrce weeks
have now passed since the rcichstag,
with a suddenness that surprised all
Europe, passed the army bill and gave
during the time that has passed it has
been possible to form an idea of the
feelings of the government as well as
Of the people towards the new condi-
tions.
1t is perhaps not too much to say
| that the general feeling on both sides
is one of dissatisfaction, which, on the
| part Of the common people, IS mingled
with disgust and contempt for its rep
| resentatIves.
The kaiser, of course, who now, as
ever, looks upon the enormous increase
of ornaments solely in the light Of the
strongest possible guarantee of contin-
| ued peace, was naturally greatly de-
lighted when he, after months of anx-
iety, suddenly saw his most cherished
wishes fulfilled, and he is probably the
only person in the empire who contin-
ues to feel happy.
Bitter After-taste.
To the chancellor of the empire, Herr
Won Bethmann Hollweg, and Herr Won
Heeringen, the victory, of which they
was q source of great satisfaction,
which, however, has left bitter after
taste of disappointment. When they
planned the new bill, which called for
such great financial sacrifices, they
were firmly convinced that it would,
with one blow, establish the absolute
military supremacy Of Germany In Eu-
rope. The bill gave this country the
enormous army Of 669 battalions of in
fantry, $50 regiments of cavalry, in
creased the readiness and efficiency Of
the 633 batteries Of field artillery, in
creased the siege artillery to 80, the
sappers to A and the train to 26 bat
taions. 1t gave Germany largely in
creased number Of officers of all grades,
and created several high military Off.
cials and standing army in time Of
peace Of $4,000 troops.
Still Not in Lead.
But, in spite Of all this, Germany's
military strength, when compared with
that Of other powers, remains the same
establish the hoped for absolute mill
tary supremacy, and in this fact lies
the cruel disappointment. The enor-
nous sacrifices demanded and made are
Of no value, for in France rejuvenated
nation has been aroused to an outburst
of patriotism, such as has not been seen
since the days Of the great Napoleon.
And out OF this patriotism will arise a
French army practically equal to the
German in numbers of men, and in
equipment on many points far superior.
Russia, influenced and prodded on
by France, is hurriedly building new
railroads Of the greatest strategical i'm
portance and has moved several new
army corps nearer to her western from
tier.
Even when the fact Is taken into con-
sideration that Austria has raised her |
annual number Of recruits, the practical |
result of Germany's supreme military |
effort is to be summed up in the words: |
millions sacrificed everywhere and In
creased distrust all around. And in |
this lies great danger to the German |
government that had promised the coun-
try an absolute supremacy, which would |
crush all competition.
People Resent Burden.
Among the masses of the people there
is feeling Of Indignation at the new
burdens Of taxation, which are Just as
real as their effects in safeguarding the
empire are negative, q contempt Of the
government which underestimat the
resources Of Russia and France, and an
even greater contempt Of the reichstag
that betrayed the people and suddenly
ANONYMOUSLY surrendered everything
without getting anything whatever in
return.
The debates in the reichstag brought
out the fact that even such bureaucrats
as the chancellor and Herr Won Heer-
ingen could not resist the will Of the
majority of the parliament. Had the
reichstag followed up its efforts many
things would now look different, but
instead of doig this, it suddenly gave
in on gil points in way which was
hardly apt to fill tho government with
respect for the chosen representatives
Of the people, Nothing Is moro certain
than that the people will get their re-
venge upon the legislators who played