THE ARMY BILL.

Samoa Weekly Herald, Volume 1, Issue 3, 10 December 1892, Page 2

THE ARMY BILL.

Berlin-, Nov. 24. Count Von Caprivi introduced the Army Bill in the Reichstag in a spoeuh which lasted two hours.

He disclaimed any idea of a warlike policy, and warmly repelled the idea that the increase asked for was for tho purpose of provoking war. On the contrary, they wished to secure a long peaco. Germany wanted no increaso of territory, but he felt it his duty to point out the dangers that confronted them, both on the eastern and westorn frontiors. The French army already outnumbered that of Gormany, and the disparity was increasing every year. It was impossible to ignore the Eronch love of war, and their desire constantly growing stronger, to conclude aluances not for defonco, but partly in order to revise, tho map of Europo. Though Germany was on good terms with Russia, fierco forces were operating there which might drivo tho Czar, lover of peaco as lie was, into war with Germany. Count Von Caprivi said ho wus convinced that tho next Russian war would liu conducted on the wostorn frontier, though thero was no immediate danger of it. If tho rapprochement between Franco and Russia wero converted into nn alliance, there would lie grave risk. Germany could not surrondor AlsaceLorrnino, nor abandon its relations with Austria and Italy. lie contended that as a matter of fact the troops of tho Triple Allionco were not oquul to tho combined French and Russian armies. He was aware that any request for un increaso in forces was bound to produce ill-fooling, but war I with Russia ut the present moment would find Gormany unprepared. The Bill might possibly bo unwolcome, but defoat would bo worao. Gormany was not so supremo as in 1870. Ho dwelt forcibly on tho extraordinary strength of tho Fronnh frontier fortifications, and said that Paris was now tho strongest fortross in the world. Tho Reichstag received tho Chancellor's spooch coldly, und with ovidont scepticism. In tho course of his spooch, Count Von Caprivi denied Princo Ulsiuurek'H statement that Gormany hastoncd to war in 1870. Nov. 25. Tho Knisor has congratulated Count Von Caprivi upon his speech in introducing tho Army Hill. Tho Berlin Press docs not approve of the Mill, but is delighted that Princo Bismarck lias been provod to bo wrong. , The Reichstag is discussing, tho advisability of prohibiting emigration between tho ages of 17 to 25 of persons liable to military service. Tho German press urges that th» cost of tho proposed increase in tho nrmy should be modified, and predicts a disruption in tho Cabinet. St. I'm i.iiimrii.i, Nov. 26. Tho Novosti, commenting upon Count von Oaprivi's speech, says that Franco and Russia will remain calm. Tbey have no fear of any coalition. I' vino. NoV. 20. The French press declare that Count Von Oaprivi's spoerh is a striking tribute to the power nf France, who i" ■Mo to regard the situation with scornful composure,