The opposition to the new German Military Bill has crystallised
itself, as we predicted it would, round the clauses reducing actual service in barracks to two years. That is so great a boon to the mass of the electors, that they will not permit the Deputies to refuse it. The opponents of the Bill are now, therefore, confining themselves to a demand that the reduction shall be embodied in law, and even made part of the Constitution. The Government will not agree to this. It pledges itself to reduce the term in practice for all recruits, but is unwilling to surrender the three years' limit as a weapon for certain emergencies. The Centre, however, which holds the balance of power, declares that its decision is irre- vocable, and that if the two years' clause is not inserted, the Bill shall be thrown out. As yet, the Government appears resolute, and it is still doubtful whether all the Liberals are Prepared to throw out the measure, if the result is to be a Dis- solution, to the cry of a reduced term. The votes of Thursday, as we understand them, do not settle the question at all, being simply rejections of the amendments opposed also by the Government.
