PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1777, 16 June 1913, Page 4

PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES.

Although the conclusion of the war between Turkey and the Balkan Allies, and the promise of Bulgaria and Servia to avoid giving provocation to each other have # improved the international outlook in Europe, there is still a feeling of uncertainty abroad, and the nations continue to increase their armaments. It was announced in our cable columns last week that Italy has decided to lay down four new Dreadnoughts, and that the Belgian Government proposes to raise a loan of £12,500,000 for the purpose of Army reforms. There is an uneasy feeling in Belgium that if Germany and France should go to war Germany would not respect the neutrality of Belgium, and this impression is supported by statements which have been made from time to time in certain Pan-German circles. While the Army Bill was being discussed in the Reichstag recently a Socialist member drew the attention of Herr vonJagow, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to this matter. He was assured that Belgium's neutrality was guaranteed by international arrangements which would be adhered to by Germany. The Socialists were not, however, satisfied and in answer to further remarks the Prussian Minister for War stated that Belgium played no part in connection with the Army Bill, which was based on the changed conditions in the Near East. He also declared that Germany would not lose sight of the fact that the neutrality of Belgium was provided for by international treaties. In spite of these facts, however, the Belgians can hardly help feeling that, they are in danger of being swallowed up sooner or later by their ambitious neighbour. It is stated that Antwerp is becoming a German port, and the more extreme section of the Pan-German party openly declare that it must eventually form part of the German Empire. It is almost certain, however, that any serious attempt to give effect to these aggressive ideas would lead to a European war, and responsible German statesmen arc not likely deliberately to provoke such a conHict into which Great Britain and France would inevitably be drawn. ill the Belgians very naturally desire to be prepared for emergencies 'as far as their resources will permit, ['he Army reform scheme, which was ivst announced in December last, provides for the more complete defence of the country's fortified pianos, and R war fir my of 330,000 men. During hor long . story, Bel-

gium has suffered so terribly from the oppression of licr conquerors that sho is evidently determined to do her utmost to avoid falling into the hands of any other foreign Power.