p. 12 | War Scare in Europe

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 25, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 12.

War Scare in Europe

ACCORDING to a report from Paris, the purpose of Kaiser William to increase the strength of the German army has added fuel to the fire of patriotism in France. Even the most radical Socialists are eager to checkmate Germany. The whole nation, it is said, is now clamoring for a restoration of the length of the French military service from two to three years, as formerly. The general opinion is, We do not want war, but nothing is more likely than that war will soon be brought about by a force of circumstances over which we have no control, and if this be the case, we are determined to make every sacrifice to be found ready to fight and win.

If the kaiser's plans are carried out, the German army will surpass the French army by about 35 per cent. But if this is done, it is argued that Germany will be unable to spend any money on modernizing her material, especially her field artillery, which is now admitted to be inferior to that of France, while France has plenty of money to take advantage of every new military invention made.

In the meantime, Germany's pacific tone toward England, of a few days ago, is distrusted by noted Englishmen. Germany spoke of limiting war preparations respecting her navy, but the kaiser's suggestion to increase the German army has made England discount that concerning the limitation of the navy. Lord Roberts has seized upon Germany's plan to increase her army, to push forward with renewed energy his agitation for general conscription in England; that is, instead of a volunteer army, to have the army modeled after the continental plan.

All this is in fulfilment of the prediction of the old prophet eight hundred years before Christ, “Prepare war; wake up the mighty men.” These are preparations for the great last war of Armageddon, and yet we are sure that God will hold the winds of strife till His work is done in the earth.