El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-18
War PASSION
s SWEEPING
EUROPE
Belgium and Switzerland
Begin Preparations for
Possible Conflict.
FRANCE BEHIND IN
AERIAL WAR WORK

~ sion for war seems to be sweep
ing over all the countries OF Eu-
rope. The Balkan safes have found a
field Of expression for their militancy,
but countries which have not this vent
are expending their energies in war
like prepare lions. The small states
are involved equally with the greater
powers and today France, Germany,
Austria. Russia, Belgium and Switzer-
land are taking serious count Of their
military preparedness.
Belgium is raising her army from a
war footing Of 100000 to 10000 men.
Baron de BrOqueville, the Belgian min
lister Of war, in concluding a speech on
this subject before the Belgian cham
Der urged that the army increase be
voted as quickly as possible, for the
sake of Belgian security and honor"
The country lives under the shadows
of the great states, the minister de-
clared. and Belgium must put forth
great eXeruons to protect her frontiers
should ner neighbOring powers fail
upon each other
The most important newspapers OF
Switzerland are publishing the official
notices of the government warning
Swiss citizens residing in European
countries to hold themselves IN readi-
ness to return Immediately in the event
OF war and Swiss living in the United
States have been requested to stand
leaQL 10 come UdCh 10 CM4LAGL4dllQ Oh
call The Swiss republic, under its
present military organization, could put
into the field 100000 men IN "A hours
and 200 600 in 4S hours One-third
of the governments revenues are spent
on military objects In case Of supreme
necessity the government expects to be
able to place 900 men under arms
within q week.
The French cabinet has adopted a
measure extending the term Of service
in the army from two to three years;
this adds some thing over 100000 men
to the peace footing OF the army Ky
cry Frenchman," said NJ. CherOn, off
ciaI analyst Of the appropriations com
mittee of the chamber OF deputies, in a
recent address, must at the present
moment fix his attention upon the mil
itary activity on the other side Of the
frontier" He then compared Germany's
expenditures on her army with the eX-
Denditures Of France during the past
10 years. The cost Of the German army
had augmented constantly until now
it was double that Of France Next
year. under the new German law, the
outlay on the army would be 100000
BOO more than that of France.
The new German military bill viii
add $4,000 recruits to the army, giving
total of 100000 men, excluding off,
,ers. Compared to this France, in
gliding the latest numerical increase
5as . total Of 57g- 7SS men in her army
On a peace footing. excluding officers
France Being Left Behind.
French opinion IS waking up 70 the
tact that Germany. in the sphere OF
military aerOnauucss is leaving france
BADLY in the rear
Gen. Lacroix and a number Of other
eminent strategists unite IN declaring
hat France has nothing 10 snow I
gainst Germany's aerial cruisers but a
1eet of penny steamers, and they
strongly deprecate the attitude taken 8
in France towards dlrlg1bles-
rhev think the sudden development OF D
-anted enthusiasm for these macnlneS,
md a corresponding d1sparagement OF
Iirigibles.
cen Iacroix holds that the oppOsi-
ion to rigid dirigibles in France is
quite wrong, the supply type Of air
ship favored by the French military
authorities is. from the military point
IF view. exceedingly risky a pin PRICK {
sufficing to destroy them. Air ships Of
the German rigid type, with their sew
ara1 compartments. are capable OF
considerable damage be
fore being put completely out of action.
To Have Wireless Compass.
Ships that feel their way along the
coasts of France in foggy weather are {
10 have the benefit of a new wireless
'cOmpas IS" which will enable them to
ascertain, practically automatically,
their correct position, and so steer
safe course.
The wireless compass permits the
detection Of the direction from which a
wireless electric signal is sent and the
signal itself will designate the point
IF its origin. Sending stations are to
be established at lighthouses and other
points of vantage along the coast ana
TWO already are in operation on small
Stands off the harbOr Of Brest.
Signals from this chain of shore
points viii be sent automatically at
regular intervals whenever fog pre-
walls. and a vessel equipped with the
receiving compass" viii be able to
read the exact direction Of the place Of
origin Of these warnings On the re-
eeipt of two such signals a ship viii
lind it possible. by a simple process OF I
very readily to determine
ler exact position.
Dumas Property Sold.
The public administrator Of Paris has (
lust sold the property of MAJ Gen Al I
sxandre Dumas for the benefit Of the
generals wife
Gen Dumas. who mad retired from
he army after 40 years Of notable ser
vice. chiefly in the colonies left his
-esidence in the Paris suburbs one az 4
.ernOon 16 months ago and has not {
been heard Of since. He disappeared
His wife waited for months 3
md inquired for her husband in prac-
icalIy every country in the world. but
particularly in the French colonies
where ne had served so many years Of /
MS life.