WAR AT THE PRESENT DAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3161, 13 April 1909, Page 4

WAR AT THE PRESENT DAY.

The "National Review" publishes a translation of the article universally ascribed to General Count von Schlieffen, of the general staff of the German army, which he contributed to the "Deutsche Revue," and the

Emperor read aloud to a gathering of military officers last New Year's Day. It shows that the writer is keenly alive to the immense sacrifices of blood and treasure which would be entailed upon the belligerents by another'great European war, as it would bring into action much vaster armies—"hordes" is the word used by the general—armed with weapons of precision, continually becoming more deadly by the invention of fscience, supported by artillery, which is daily being improved in the certainty of its~ aim, the deadliness of its effects, and the immensity of its ranne; while the conflicts of the future will be spread over an im> mense area of country. In the opinion of Count von Schlieft'en, "gun founderies, amrrunition factories, and steam hammers have done more to promote friendly relations and amiable concessions than any peace congress." And he further remarks that "tactics of exhaustion are not practicable where the support of millions demands the expenditure of millions." In such circumstances the game of "beggar my neighbour" becomes a very hazardous one to play. Th? general mentions a fact which is not generally known, and is interesting as proving what pains France has taken to rectify the terrible mistakes she made in 1870. "Before two decades had passed since the close of the Franco-German war, a Chinese well (or line of fortifications) had been erected from the Zuyder Zee to the Mediterranean, with the object of preventing any repetition of a ruinous" invasion." Finally, the military position of Europe, at the present day, is described by the general as being the following:—"ln the centre stand Germany and Austria; around them, securely entrenched the remaining Powers. The political situation corresponds with the military position. Almost insoluble differences exist between the encircled Powers and the surrounding nations. France has not abandoned the revenge sworn in 1871, and, just as the idea for revenge called the whole of Europe to arms, so it is now the pivotal-point of European politics."