Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/280

272] will shortly increase their field artillery by 100 to 120 batteries. In Russia extensive reforms have been introduced during the past decade, and new Reserve brigades have been formed since 1897."

The bill was sharply criticised in the Budget Committee, especially by the Clericals, "the governing party" of the Reichstag, who ultimately proposed to accept only a portion of the increase demanded by the Government. Under this proposal the addition to the strength of the infantry was to be reduced by 7,000 men, the ten new squadrons of Meldereiter (cavalry for carrying despatches and orders) asked for by the Government were to be formed in new regiments instead of being embodied with the cavalry; and the completion of the new additions to the Army was to be postponed from the year 1902 to 1903. The proposal was adopted (March 8) by a majority of 19 to 6, the minority consisting of the Radicals and Social Democrats, who were opposed to any increase of the Army whatever. One of the most important of the Government demands—that for an increase of the field artillery from 494 to 574 batteries, France having 494 batteries only—was left untouched, as was also those for the establishment of three army corps, and for the increase of the strength of the German cavalry which, reckoning the Meldereiter as separate corps, was from 472 to 482 squadrons. These were all very substantial additions to the strength of the Army, and the Clericals insisted on the peace strength of the infantry being raised only to 495,500 men, instead of to 502,506, as asked for by the Government, on the ground that the scarcity of agricultural labourers is increasing in consequence of the number of recruits now required both for the Army and Navy. When, however, the report of the committee was brought before the Reichstag, on March 14, both the Government scheme and that of the Clericals were rejected, the former by a majority composed of the Clericals and their allies, and the latter by one composed of the supporters of the Government, who had voted for the Clerical scheme in committee, thinking that the Government would accept it. The majority against the Government was composed of the Clericals, the Poles, the Radical Left, and the Social Democrats, who together mustered 209 votes against the 141 given by the Conservatives, the Anti-Semites, the National Liberals, and the moderate Radicals, in favour of the bill. This was a severe defeat for the Government, but Dr. Lieber, the leader of the Centre or Clerical party, while adhering to his proposal for a reduction of the increase demanded for the infantry, expressed his willingness to reconsider the question should experience show that the numbers for which his party were now prepared to vote were insufficient. As there was no prospect of obtaining a majority for the bill by a dissolution, the Government yielded, and the Chancellor, in the name of the Federal Council, accepted the amendments proposed by the Budget