THE MILITARY FUTURE OF GERMANY.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 68, 11 December 1875, Page 3

THE MILITARY FUTURE OF GERMANY.

The article mi “ The Military Future of Germany,” which Col. (.(lias. Cornwallis Chesney has contributed to the .September number of •'Macmillan's Magazine,’ is in i's way quite as valuable an addition to our political knowledge as the now celebrated ‘ Blackwood’ article on the French army. Colonel Chesney does not deny that there is a “ war party” at Berlin, ami that the “ nngeist in uniform” is still too powerful in the councils of the Empire. But he explains in a novel way the mischevious uneasiness of this party. It is not of the French revanche that Count Moltko and the rest of the military party are afraid ; it is not to disable France for the vengeance which is muttered in some French newspapers that they would again throw, Europe into confusion. But the excitement of the Germans is generated by, and in its turn intensifies, the ambitionsof Russia. “German officers,” says Colonel Chesney, “avow it to be their next duty to the Fatherland to chastise the Russian pride.” It is against a Russo-French alliance that all their preparations are directed, according to Colonel Chesney’s interpretation of their motives ; “it is for this dread ordeal the new Empire is deliberately preparing. The danger lies in the possible simultaneous assault from the East by Russia, while Franee does her share on the Rhine; and it is to ward off such a double attack that the military policy of Berlin is directed. That the double contest thus prepared for will over come in onr day, or what its issue should it come, are questions no prudent man would pretend to give absolute answer to.” But though Colonel Chesney thus leaves the future in doubt, the balance of his judgment inclines to the side of Germany. He concludes that, in spite of all disadvantages, in spite of the revival of France and the rapid development of Russia, “ Germany’s chances, viewed thus distantly, seem to weigh down those of her supposed adversaries, who could not possibly rely on the union and promptitude of action with which they would certainly be met.”