The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 1893. Rumours of War

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 107, 28 February 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 1893. Rumours of War

■ ♦- In connection with the occasional disquieting cables we have received from Europe lately, we think the following extract from the Novoe Vremya, | wherein is discussed the relative strength of the Double and Triple Alliances, and a sketch given of the probable initial steps in tho next European war,should prove of interest. The writer, who is evidently well informed, says : — "For action in Europe Russia has 19 army corps, France the same number, Germany 20, Austria 15, and Italy 12, or the Double Alliance 38, against 47 of the Triple. But those of the latter, especially the Italian, are numerically weaker, and if the reserves are counted in, the difference becomes very small. One of the English military journals has been analysing the various combinations. According to one of these, Germany would send 12 corps against Russia, would leave one to defend her northern line, and would occupy her fortresses on the French frontier with the remaining seven. The Italians are to advance through Savoy, leaving two corps at home, and sending one to Austria, who would throw the whole of her force, except one corps, against Russia, which would thus have 27 hostile corps on her front. If it were decided to attack France first, then there would be only 20 against Russia. If the first attack is to be directed against us, it wilj require all the science and energy of the allies to keep back the French advance. It must be taken into consideration also that it will be very difficult to manoeuvre large masses of troops in a country like Savoy ; and there is good ground to fear that the the neutrality of Switzerland and Belgium will not be respected. In fact, it is only by passing the Swiss frontier above Belfort that the Italians can become useful, or that 16 army corps can be expected to check the French. It has been calculated that every day after the mobilisation will wil) cost to France 15,000,000 f., to Germany 13,137,000 f. f and Italy 7,875,000 f." The whole tenor of the article indicate, that the author is of opinion it rests entirely with Germany to decide not only the movements of the Triple Alliance, but the main conduct of the Wfl I.