DEFENCE BOOM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1689, 4 March 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE BOOM.

GERMAN ARMY BILL. VERY HEAVY EXPENDITURE. TAX ON RICH MEN. ROYALTY NOT TO ESCAPE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Berlin, March 2. The "North German Gazette" semi-ofll-cially states that it is intended to cover th« initial military expenditure by a levy on ricli men, if tho Reichstag approves. ' I This fortune tax would obviate a loan. The Government urges that the military vote should bo passed by Whitsuntide. Of tho fifty million sterling which is to be spent in four years, eleven million will bo recurring, and seven and a half million will bo spent on new barracks on the past coast. The Government proposes to abolish tho exemption of Royalty from taxation. GERMAN SUPER-DREADNOUGHT. KAISER'S SIGNIFICANT SPEECH. Borlin, March 2. The Kaiser, at Wilhelmshaven, witnessed .the launch of tho super-Dread-nought Konig Albert. Ho declared that such battleships were tho greatest need of the present serious hour. The Konig Albert is a turbine vessel of 24,119 tons, 5G4Jft. length, 95Jft. beam, and 27} ft. draught. She is of 25,000 horsepower, with a speed of twenty-one knots. Her armament will'include ten 12-inch, fourteen 5.9-inch, and twelve 3.4-inch guns. INCREASE OF TAXATION. (Rec. March 3, 11.10 p.m.) Berlin, March 3. Tho Government proposes to raise for military purposes a milliard marks bp means of a levy of half to three-quarters per cent upon the total valuo of property, fortunes itnder fifty thousand marks escaping. The estimated new scheme compared with 1911 will raise tho Austrian army Trom 390,000 to 471,000, and tho French army from 536,000 to 800,000. . GERMAN AVIATION STATION. (Roc. March 3,'8.55 p.m.) Berlin, Maroh 3. The Admiralty has made Cuxhaven tho oontro of naval aviation and tho chief station of the Zeppelin airships.

PARSEVAL FOR RUSSIA. Berlin, March 2. A now Parseval flow 40 miles at her trials, attaining an altitude of 5000 feet. She lias passed into tlio possession- of Russia. RUSSIA RETAINS RESERVISTS. (Reo. Maroh 3, 11.10 p.m.) London, March 3. Tho "Daily News" St. Petersburg correspondent foreshadows the retention with tho colours for a year 175,000 reservists, making the army's peaco strength ono million and three-quarters. AUSTRALIAN CADET SYSTEM. (Reo. March'. 3, 11.10 p.m.) London, March 3. Major Holman, specking at a dinner given by tho lenders of the British cadets, detailed tho system of Australia, and said there was no opposition to universal training except by a fow cranks. PATRIOTISM IN FRANCE. Paris, March 2. There is a remarkablo wave of patriotism in tho press and public, who, have acccpted tho necessity of the threo years' military 6ervioe. Many "time expireds" are volunteering for the new term, especially cavalry men.