There seems to be no limit to the expenditure on
war. Europe will spend in this year and the two following at least £10,000,000 upon the new rifle, and now the French Minister of Marine has introduced a Bill demanding £6,000,000, which will Probably be doubled, for the complete reorganisation of the French Fleet. He does not believe, it appears, in great iron- • clads, and desires swifter and smaller vessels. It should be observed, too, that all this outlay in preparation for war does not make war itself any cheaper. General Skobeleff is reported to have said that the Tartar conquerors did not raise loans ; but as a matter of fact, modern nations begin_ war with huge bor- rowings. Even Russia issues quantities of paper, which is nothing better than a forced loan, subscribed by every peasant and trader in the country. The Republics spend as much as the despots ; and our own mixed Monarchy, which is so free alike from self-will and turbulence, spends more than any- body, the total at home and in India being equal to the creation of a new National Debt every twenty-five years. And though the world is supposed to be growing wiser every day, there is not the slightest prospect of any reduction, or of the establishment of any international tribunal strong enough to compel obedience to its decrees. The only tribunal at this moment is Prince Bismarck ; and he refuses to act.
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