On Tuesday General von Einem, the German Minister for War,
explained in the Reichstag the Estimates for rearma- ment and the reconstruction of fortresses. He had been pressed to spread the expenditure over a shorter time, but he hoped that if his proposals were adopted, everything would be ready " before it came to war." The sums already voted for rearmament were not enough. He regretted that the reforms could not be put into effect sooner, but the financial objections were decisive. The old arms were still serviceable; and it was not, after all, merely a question of arms, but also of the spirit of the Army and the enthusiasm of the people. It is said that General von Einem's tone was bellicose. We can discover nothing unduly bellicose in the reports of his speech. It is the business of every Minister for War to create a belief in the need for the expenditure he proposes, otherwise he can hardly hope to get the money. If he does not exaggerate considerably, he is a man of self-restraint. General von Einem appears to have said nothing more imprudent than that war is possible, and that Germany must be ready.
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