ns
which enabled the Central Powers to win their perilous triumph over
Russia and the Slavs of the Balkans. In April 1912 the German Chancellor
introduced to the Reichstag Army and Navy Bills (passed on May 21)
providing for great increases in the navy, also forces amounting to two
new army corps, and that, too, though Germany's financial position was
admitted to be "very serious," and the proposed measures merely
precautionary. Nevertheless, only Socialists, Poles, and Alsatians voted
against them. But the events of the first Balkan War were cited as
menacing Germany with a conflict in which she "might have to protect,
against several enemies, frontiers which are extended and by nature to a
large extent open." A new Army Bill was therefore introduced in March
1913 (passed in June), which increased the total of the forces by
145,000, and raised their peace strength in 1914 to more than 870,000
men. The Chancellor referred gratefully to "the extraordinary ability
and spirit of conciliation" of Sir Edward Grey during the Conference at
London, and admitted that a collision between Germans and Slavs was not
inevitable; but Germany must take precautions, this, too, at a time when
Russia and Austria agreed to place their forces again on a peace
footing. Germany, far from relaxing her efforts after the sharp rebuff
to the Slavonic cause in the summer of 1913, continued her military
policy. It caused grave apprehension, especially as the new drastic
taxes (estimated to produce L50,000,000) were loudly declared a burden
that could not long be borne. As to the naval proposals, the Chancellor
commended Mr. Churchill's suggestion (on March 26) of a "naval holiday,"
but said there were many difficulties in the way.

The British Naval Budget of 1912 had provided for a six years' programme
of 25 _Dreadnoughts_ against Germany's 14; and for every extra German
ship two British would be added. In March 1913 this was continued, with
the offer of a "holiday" for 1914 if Germany would soon accept. No
acceptance came. The peace strength of the British Regular Army was
reckoned early in 1914 at 156,000 men, with about 250,000 effective
Territorials.

The increases in the German army induced the French Chambers, in July
1913, to recur to three years' military service, that of two years being
considered inadequate in face of the new menace from beyond the
Rhine[544]. Jaures and the Socialists, who advocated a national militia
on the Swiss sys