War Preparations in Time of Peace.
SOME startling figures have been presented before the country in the recent debate in Congress over the President's request for four new battle-ships. Congressman Tawney declared that the United States is expending in military and naval preparations for war $2,683,000 more than France, only $35,884,000 less than Germany, and $66,473,000 less than Great Britain. Reckoning in our pensions, we are expending for wars past and to come $84,975,000 more than Great Britain, $136,000,000 more than Germany, and $152,859,000 more than France. And Senator Hale estimates that seventy per cent of our national expenditures are now made on account of wars of the past and future. The appropriations in this year's Congress foot up nearly $1,000,000,000, and leave a deficit of $60,000,000. The Boston Transcript remarks that if we are to enter into competition with European nations in our preparations for war, "conscription will soon become a necessity to us." In Germany the Kaiser has had about as difficult a time to obtain the battle-ships which he wants; yet his power in the Reichstag led them to grant three "Dreadnaughts," and one "Invincible." A London journalist who professes to be acquainted with conditions thruout Germany declares that there is a tremendous ambition thruout the empire to build up a great navy. Great Britain, France, and Japan will certainly not lag behind Germany. The emperor's plan for some years to come is four capital ships each year. France has a program by which in twelve years the Republic will possess 38 modern battle-ships, 26 armored cruisers, 279 destroyers, and 131 submarines. And according to current literature, European authorities are concluding that the United States is far behind in building but two battle-ships annually; even Japan means to do better.