Evening star., 1939-08-13


Washington have been receiving volumi-
nous reports from abroad during these
last weeks. They contain expertly tabu-
lated figures showing that the number
of men called to the colors in Europe
today equals the number of those who
were mobilized at the same time of year
In 1914
Germany, on August 4, 1889, had no
less than 2,650000 men ready to fight.
This force is distributed in three main
groups. The bulk, 100000 men, is con-
centrated on the aStern border for an
eventual action against Poland Another
force of about 10000 men is stationed in
Czecho-Slovakia in close proximity to the
Rumanian border The others are REIN
forcing the Siegfried Line, with consid-
cradle number of reserve troops behind
the fortified zone.
The Italians have force estimated at
something like 100000 men between
Milan and the Alps, similar aggregate
in the districts between Genoa and
Ventimiglia and a mobile body of be-
tween 100000 and 100000 men in the
rest of Central and Northern Italy. An
army estimated at 100000 men is sta
toned in Libya and Tripoli under the
command of Italy's ace flyer, Italo Balbo.
100000 Poles Under Arms.
The Poles have approximately 1,300,0 900
men under arms. Seventy one divisions
about 100000 men-are on the Ger
man-Polish border from the Carpathians
to Danzig while the rest form covering
force on the Russian border.
The Hungarians have force estimated
at 300,0 900 men on the Rumanian frontier.
while King Boris of Bulgaria has kept
some 10000 men close to Southern Do
brudja, near Rumania, since last De-
cember. King Carol of Rumania, who
ordered partial mobilization in April
of this year, still has some 100000 men
concentrated on the Bulgarian and Hun
garian borders. The French have manned
the Maginot Line as if they expected an
attack any day; behind that line are
some 100000 additional men. The exact
number Of divisions facing the Alps is
not known but it is estimated that there
D.
risons in the vicinity of the Pyrenees were
strengthened year ago. They are being
left as they were in August, 1938,-that
is to say, about 10000 French troops
are mounting guard on the French
Spanish border. France, being on the
active forces, but preparations are being
made for smooth general mobilization
which could bring Frances armies to
their full war strength in less than two
weeks.
Britain has increased the number of
troops on active service to about 10000
men; in the camps there is new army
of raw recruits-some 10000 youngsters
who are expected to become fighters be-
fore the end of this year
Neutrality Nations" Prepare.
The Netherlands, the Scandinavian
states, Switzerland and the Baltic coun-
tries, whose people all yearn for a COM
plete neutrality in the event of another
European crisis, hope for the best and
fear the worst. They, too, have inter-
fered with the peaceful life of their citi-
zens and keep substantial number of
men who form their militia and regular
armies ready for any emergency
The British navy is ready for action
as in August, 1914. Every ship, including
those in the reserves, has joined the
grand fleet which is ready to weigh
anchor as soon as it receives orders to
do so from the admiralty in London
The same thing applies to the German,
the French and the Italian naval forces.
In the Far East, the japanese navy,
which has been inspected by the En-
peror within the past two weeks, is fully
manned with regular and reserve sailors
and is prepared to proceed to an "un-
known destination" officially
at least-at moments notice. It's
movements depend entirely on what is
going to happen in Europe during the
next few weeks. In the meantime, it is
expected that the Japanese high COM
mand will instruct the principal divisions
of the fleet to take leisurely southern
course until outside elements determine
direction of the Dutch East Indies.
Soviet Stands Ground.
The Russians have made no important
military moves in the last few months
During the September crisis of last year
they reinforced their divisions on the
Polish, Slovak and Bessarabian borders.
These troops are still there and are more
of worry than a comfort to the War
saw and Bucharest governments.
This is the statistical picture Of the
world in August, 1889.
Years ago such a concentration of hos
tile forces facing each other would have
shot fired by nervous recruit, bomb
released accidentally by an inexperienced
pilot, would have caused general war.
There is no such danger now. Border
Incidents and mistakes of aviators can
not unloose these forces. There have
been skirmishes since last winter; there
was an affray between Italians and
French on the Tunisian border which
cost both parties some 60 casualties.
Both governments were quick to deny
this engagement; the French because
they did not want to precipitate crisis;
the Italians because Mussolini did not
want the world to know that in the first
encounter between the Italian and
French regulars the Italians got the
worst of it. There have been shootings
ut the German-Polish border. Neither