WAR AT THE PRESENT DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 15 May 1909, Page 4

WAR AT THE PRESENT DAY.

The National Review publishes tr Mislaiion of the aiticle uuiverasciihed to Genial Count c■ i. flea, ot the general of the German army, which he contributed to the Deutsche Revue, and the Emperor read aloud to a gathering of military officers last New Year’s Day. >lt shows that the writer is keenly alive to the immense sacrifices of blood and treasure which would be entailed upon the belligerents by another great European war, as it would bring intp action much vaster armies—“hordes” is the word used by the general —armed with weapons of precision, continually becoming more deadly by the invention of science, supported by artillery which is daily being proved in the certainty of its aim, the deadliness of its effects, and the immensity of its range ; while the conflicts of the future will be spread over an immense area of country. In the opinion of Count von Schlieffen, “ gun. foundries, ammunition factories, and steam hammers have done more to promote friendly relations and amicable concessions than any peace congress-” And he further remarks that “ tactics of exhaustion are not practicable where the support of millions demand the expenauure m is,” In such circumstances, we game of “ beggar my neighbour ” becomes a very hazardous one to play. The general mentions a fact which is not generally known, and is interesting as proving what pains France has taken to rectify the terrible mistakes she made in 1870. “ Before two decades had passed since the close ot the Franco-German war, a Chinese well (or line of fortifications) had been erected from the Zuyder Zee to the Mediterranean, with the object of preventing any repetition of a ruinous invasion.’’ Finally the military position of Europe, at the present day, is described by the general as being the following:—ln the centre stand Germany and Austria; around them securely entrenched, the remaining Powers. The political situation coiie-j onds wit-r »*<•-- military i-si io (. Aim st insoluble an- | r s -.i ■ -elween Ihe encirc,eo Powei* ana the surroundings nations. Prance has not abandoned the revenge sworn in 1871, and, just as the idea of revenge called the whole of Europe to arms, so it is now the pivotalpoint ot European politics.”