The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-13
Appalling Cost
Of Titanic ConAic'

LONDON. Septeinbc. lc-Onc of IS
most powerful elements that IS at voi
to-day for the settlement Of the gre
european war Is the appalling COZ,
the titanic conflict. II can be- only
matter or time until every one ct 4
warning powers is embarrassed nna
4 orally. IL IL not assuming too mud
10 say that each OF the nations. with Il
great armament, believed that wi
when II came, would be Of brief dur
non; that the stupendous cost and n
terrible loss OF iifn wrought hy mod g 1
war machinery would bring any col
hict 10 quick termination
The European powers have no; q
I tered upon this war without some prI
vious calculation as to the means n
which II must he carried out In add
tioh TO the great accumulation
gold In the central banks plans ii
new taxation and additional allowanc!
Tor the army and navy have been pal
OF the fiscal programs OF all tho po,pei
for many years.
The Immense war appropriation
the combatants. huge as they an
would he only Il mere bagatcIie If ID
war Is prolonged. Germany at the oui
set appropriated q billion and a dual
ter Of dollars: France. on the same dal
set aside more than 81 900, 600 900. at
the British Parliament voted $500 oOd
"up, following this up subsequent,
with another appropriation OF the sari
amount. Russia has not made know
what she appropriated, but IL Is safe
say that the grand total OF the FL
ropean war funds voted by all the belG
gerents IL near $4,000
Several European experts In sud
matters have estimated that the WI
is now costing the combatants s5Oo0d
600 day. Some Frcnchmen have cal
culated that II is costing France alo}
s20.0oo,000 daily.
How is this tremendous burden
war outlay TO be met? That is III
problem with which the nnancicrs !
the European cabinets are grappliil
while the tacticians are planning ncl
army moves. II is obvious even to ~
layman that the productive power
country at war is greatly reduced, !
not absolutely paralyZcd. Industry
every sort is hard hit by the withdra g
of the thousa nd5, and in this war mi
lions or men VINO are taken from ii
helds. shops and factories and placj
iii uniform for the purpose of blowiij
away powder in shooting each other.
such producing power as remains
utilized in making the materials
war arms. ammunition, clothing an
food for the armies.
In France the official estimate OF III
i'htdi N'Iuc oI DtlNdlc StIuctufti
homes. stores, mills, hotels and NJ
like is about $70S 900 900 annually. Il
therefore, $50. 00o, 900 a day is rcquir,t
for the French army now in the hcl!
the value or the rentals Of the nat I'd
FOR Whole year was licked up
thirty-siX days-it is already gonl
This is just ono item to ilui
trate and bring home To the avci
ago man the effect of war. WI
tt,.,I A
ton, such burdens will not react I'll
rectly upon the rentals Of tho htimblel
laborcr and indirectly through the Cd
HANGED rental OF stores and shops upd
tho price OF what he buys"
This Is only one of the many forii
in which the financial burden OF II
war will fall upon the masses In q,
tho countries involved Ia the struggi
and in the form OF Increased debt al
interest charges upon their chilJrI
and childrcn'S children yet unborn.
Already the older countries Of ~
rope staGgcr under enormous dcbi
incurred in similar manner In rrcvioi
wars. France bears the heaviest bui
den of public debt, amounting to abo}
$6,330, 100000. Grca, britain CONF
next with about 3,5O0,000.000.
The debt of the German empire
only little more than $1,000, 200, 900, hj
this is because the empire is OH,
about forty-fiVo years Old and the I'M
mense debts OF it's component parts n |
still borne by the separate states. IN!
tria- Hungary has Il debt OF about S1i
100000.
According To The most availabi
figures, the annual debt changes !
France amount TO 1855, 900, 900; Crc.I
Britain, S120,000,o0o; Austria Hungarj
Continued on Sixth pasc)