The _Freisinnige Zeitung_ wonders what
will happen on the day when the opposition of the Catholic Centre shall
cease, which has always been a check upon military expenditure and which,
nevertheless, has not prevented Germany from spending 11,597 millions
upon armaments since 1871.
Will Austria follow once more the lead of Berlin? The object of William
II's visit to Vienna, accompanied by Von Caprivi, is to decide her to do
so. In the Empire of the Hapsburgs, as in Germany, people are asking;
"What is going to be the end of all this expenditure?" The _Vaterland_,
discussing William's voyage, says that "the pact between the three great
powers appears to be beginning to be very shaky."
September 29, 1892. [28]
William II thinks that War is impending and close at hand; he feels that
Italy is inclined to argue, and Austria to assert herself. According to
the tradition of Von Moltke, he wishes to be ready at the hour of his own
choosing.
In the last volume of the Field-Marshal's memoirs, there is a letter
addressed by him to the deputy, Count de Bethusy Huc, dated March 29,
1869, in which the following words occur--
"After a war like that which we have just ended, one can hardly wish for
another. I desire, however, to profit by the occasion which now offers
to make war on France, for, unfortunately, I consider this war to be
absolutely necessary, and indispensable within a period of five years;
after that, our organisation and armament, which are to-day superior, may
be equalled by the efforts of France.
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