GERMANY’S WAR CHEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 70, 31 March 1913, Page 5

GERMANY’S WAR CHEST.

ARMY BILL PROPOSALS.

SIGNIFICAXT INCREASES. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Berlin, March 29. The preamble to the Army Bill states that owing to the war in the Balkans the ratio of power in Europe had shifted. The strength of the army had not kept pace ' with the growth of population. Universal service was the trustiest foundation of Germany’s strength. The permanent recurring expenditure on the army was .190,000,000 marks yearly. As the sources of taxation open to the Imperial Government were insufficient for the burdens, a considerable portion must be shifted to the Federal States. The Army Bill provides for a nonrecurring expenditure of £52,500,000. The war chest is increased from £6,000,000 to £18,000,000. A defence levy will be made of onehalf per cent, on property above the value of £SOO, and of 2 per cent, on incomes above £2300.

The extra annual expenditure of £9,500,000 is to be met by increasing matricular contributions by Is 4Jd per head above the present rate of Bd. Joint stock limited companies will be assessed after their liabilities have been deducted. It is proposed to issue notes of five and ten shillings. SECURING THE £12,000,000 EXTRA FOR THE WAR CHEST. (Received 8.0 a.m.)

Of a milliard marks, seventy-nine millions are for airships and aeroplanes. An additional twenty millions has already been arranged, and fifty millions are for naval aircraft; twenty-one millions expended on fortresses ; 230 millions on barracks; seventy-one millions on artillery; forty six millions on rifle ranges and manoeuvre grounds; thirty-eight millions on clothing; thirty-one millions on horses; twenty-eight millions on engineering. The extra twelve million sterling for the war chest will be secured by the issue of a small silver paper currency stored in the Julius Tower at Spandau. NOT FORGETTING NAVAL AND AERIAL DEFENCE. (Received 8.45 a.m.) • Two and a-half millions will be spent on the navy between 1914 and 1918. Nine airships, fifty aeroplanes, and the requisite garages and personnel will be included in the programme. T-'ii-V ' V■: i. . AERIAL STRENGTH IN JANUARY NEXT. (Received 9.35 a.m.) Berlin, March 30. By January next, Germany will have fifteen first-class and eighteen secondclass airships. The four millions for airships will be derived from non-recurring taxes, whiqh will not include Bavaria. The Total of 6i millions does nut include one million of which the Government had given notice, but which will possibly be dropped.