THE COST OF WAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3141, 19 March 1909, Page 4

THE COST OF WAR.

Herr Riesser, who was formerly a leading figure in the financial world of Germany, and who is now Professor of Political Economy at the University of Berlin, has just published a small work entitled, "The Financial Question from a Military Standpoint." Herr Riesser discusses the subject in great detail in an attempt to prove that the real and only sinew of war is a "well-filled national treasury." To this end the professor points out that the Franco-Prussian war resulted in costing Germany £87,500,000, which were spent in--305 days; that in the Boer war, which lasted from October 11, 1899, to May 31st, 1902, England spent £215,350,000; and that in the RussoJapanese war, which lasted from Febi uary 20th, 1904, to the end of August, 1905, the Russian expenditure was £143,650,000, and that of the Japanese was £121,200,000. Professor Riesser claims that another war breaking out at present would cost Germany £900,000 a day, or £27,000,000 a month, and that only in the ordinary direct expenditure of warfare. Therefore, the professor comes to the conclusion that before Germany can entertain the idea of embarking upon a war the Fatherland ought to have a floating fund of at least £125,000,000 available for the current expenses of warfare.