GERMAN WAR TAXES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1712, 1 April 1913, Page 5

GERMAN WAR TAXES.

HOW THE MONEY IS TO GO,

GREAT AIR FLEET. Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyiißht Berlin, March 30. Of tho milliard marks-(.£50,000)000) required by tho Government under tho Army Bill, 79 millions will be spent on airships'nnd aeroplanes, in addition to the 20 millions already arranged for, and 50 millions for naval aircraft. A sum of 211 million marks will bo expended on fortresses, 230 millions on barracks, 71 millions on artillery, and 4G millions on riflo ranges and manoeuvre grounds,' 38 millions on clothing, 31 millions on horses, and 28 millions on engineering. An extra 12 million pounds sterling for tho war chest will be secured by the issue of small silver paper currency. 1 The money will bo stored in the Julius Tower at Spandau, where tho Imperial war treasure is kept. ,

By January next there trill bo 15 firsts class and 18 second-class airships. The money required for airships will bo provided from non-recurring taxes. • The army expenditure proposed does not include Bavaria's total of GJ millions, nor one million pounds of which tho Government had given notice, and which will now possibly be dropped. Two and a half millions will be spent on tho navy botween 1914 and 1918. Nine airships arid 50' aeroplanes, with tho requisite garages and personnel, are boing provided for.

AIK-CRAFT DEPOTS ON FRONTIERS. (Rec. March 31, 11.30 p.m.) Berlin, March 31. The General Staff propose to oonstruct a fleet of 200 aeroplanes and twenty Zep-' pelins, and ten revolving-sheds, each with accommodation, for two. The nir-craft will bo distributed on the French and Russian frontiers, with- reserve stations inland. The naval air fleet will be based oil the North Sea, with six auxiliary stations. ■PRESS COMMENT ON THE BILL. (Kec. March 31, 11.30 p.m.) Berlin, March 31. The newspapers, except the Socialist organs, accept the Army Bill as inevitable, but' the Liberals and Radicals sharply criticise the financial proposals. The "Cologne Gazette" complains of the exacting of contributions from the owners of property valued at i; 500.

A PISTOL AT BRITAIN'S'HEAD. (Rec. March 31, 11.30 p.m.) . Londoni March 31. ; The "Daily Mail" says Germany's reply to Mr. Churchill's pppeal for a halt in .warship building is seen m the war levy. The vapt development of air craft is a pistol-held at Britain's head:, The "Standard" says Germany may not mean, war, but tho enormous financial sacrifices proposed, even at ,the risk oi straininz tho of the .federal system, show a determination 'to make Germany an irresistible Power. ' Tho "Daily News" emphasises the irony of the situation, in which the liberation of the Balkans leads to the subjection of millions in other parts of, Europe to the 'serfdom of conscription.