FRENCH MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 44, 20 February 1913, Page 8

FRENCH MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Paris, February 18. The Government’s action is a sequel to Germany’s raising an army of 850,000 peace strength, already the 1915 standard, giving Germany 725,000 effectives, compared with 550,000 French. Three million sterling will he spent immediately on ammunition and artillery, and £20,000,000 later on building fortresses, providing heavy artillery and aviation. If the Government arsenals are . insufficient, private contractors will he utilised.The Government is unanimous that it if ■necessary to increase the army, as the total population is insufficient to consider raising the term of service to thirty months or three years for all arms, or to three years for cavalry. Special inducements will he offered for natives of French Africa. The Bourse is uneasy, owing to the Government’s military proposals, and also to the report summoning tire annual training two months before the usual time.