ARMAMENTS CRAZE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14831, 24 November 1913, Page 6

ARMAMENTS CRAZE.

The Republic of San Marino, on the Italian-Adriatic coast, about 100 miles

south of Venice, is faced with a eerioni problem (writes our London correspond- ; cut). Tno Republic is quite tuiall, ' having a population at only IO.OUO. " Hitherto tho artillery torces liave consisted of one truck noUl-gim. bought in ■; l&Ki. Under the protection ot this : * ■weapon tho Republic has unco existed 'in perfect trantjuility and safety, bat ';'' apparently in view of the general ten- ■ dency to increase armaments throughout. Europe, tho wovcrnment of &m Marino has decided to embark upon a ■ programme of military expansion. To meet tho requirements of the new military situation in Kuropo, Sun ilariso is now buying a whole battery of four nold-suns. Taking into consideration tho manifest superiority of French artillery as demonstrated in tho Balkan War, tho military authorities oi th* Republic havo decided to place this order with the Crousot tirm. At the samo time, tho number of trained artillery mon in the Republic is to be raised from nine to thirty. In connexion with this scheme, however, a grave question of international law has arisen. The new cannon have a range of nino miles, while tho territory of the Republic is unlv four milos acroe. Should tho guns 'to tired the shells must fall into Italian territory, and diplomatic complications will eiisne.