Show TRE THE GERMAN CRISIS the most sensational european topic jut just now DOW is 18 the inquiry into the panama canal scandal andal eo but of hardly less ie iA and or of atly more importance jabo i fre proposition presented to the german parliament by the chancellor of the empire and warmly endorsed by emperor william for an enormous increase in the military budget the features of the new bill briefly stated are that the term of compulsory military service shall be reduced from three years to two but that the standing army shall hall be largely increased in number and nd its ito promoters Drom otere evidently hope that by huni humoring oring the people in the first particular for military service is exceedingly unpopular with the masses they will arouse less opposition to the demand for the immense that will be needed for carrying out the latter part of the pro gramme it used to be said of the iron bismarck that he sought difficulties for the mere pleasure of overcoming them and it looks as though the young kaiser derived enjoyment in a similar way certainly to the casual observer this would seem to be a time in the highest degree inopportune for far the levying ot of fresh taxes upon the people of germany groaning as they are under ex lating burdens with the additional evils of low wages and industrial depression pres slon such bach a policy would imperil the continuance of almost any ministry in other lands and under the circumstances cum stances would not be without its menace to the crowned head itself caprisi caprivi may indeed be forced out of office by this move it if the opposition develops the strength that is expected but that result to is unlikely and it Is to is quite absurd to think that the emperors throne will be in the least shaken or that he will lose in any degree the genuine affection in which he is held by his subjects on the contrary he seems to have managed the matter thus far with sin gular adroitness and there is in every reason to believe he be will prove to the opposition that he is not the novice in diplomacy some of them and notably bismarck himself have thought him one weapon he knows know how to use with a 11 master hand and that is the appeal to patriotism let it ik once be hinted that the fatherland to is in danger and every german rallies enthusiastically to the rescue be it either with sabre and gun or with the willing fulfillment of tho the most onerous financial requirement Fo pointing to france on the west and russia on the east he has experienced X and we think will experience 1 no trouble in rousing the national heart and when he offers the boon of shorter service in the army in return for a much more effects effective re war establishment lish ment 0 one la in fact that could crash an enemy at the first onslaught the appeal would seem to be one that hat could scarcely br be reel resisted ilis his further proposition to raise the revenue from taxes on the three ble ba abder bier boarn boera and beer the stock exchange and brandy la Is catchy too and the rabble are likely to be taken by storm and his policy fulfilled still he be has to measure swords this time with an abler and stronger opposition than has ever yet confronted him the exhibition cannot fail all to be entertaining and to is pretty sure to be instructive one would think that france and especially since in his bis pro gramme lies a dis threat against her would be not disinterested spectators spectator ej as they cast waning glances at each other across the stormy realm whose turbulence or quietude has so much significance ance for them |