Count von Billow has apparently triumphed over the economic virtue
of the Centre party in Germany. They had announced in the Budget Committee their intention of rejecting the increased vote for cavalry ; but on Tuesday they recalled this vote, and agreed to the proposition of the War Ministry, only stipulating that the increase should be a little more gradual than the officials proposed. Witnessing this new departure, the leader of the National Liberals, Herr Paasche, also "regretfully " gave way, and the vote will now pass the Reichstag. As the Centre last week appeared deter- mined, and their electors are opposed to further military expenditure, this volte-face must have been secured by some promise to the Catholic party, and the Opposition would like greatly to know what it is. Count von Billow has much difficulty in keeping his majority together, but he manages it almost as adroitly as Mr. Balfour. One of his devices is to assume as absolute truth that the Socialists, who are always protesting against war, would like to go to war with Russia on behalf of the Revolutionary party. That would only happen if Russia broke up, when Germany could hardly help making a serious bid for the Baltic provinces.
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