Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1888 — PREPARING FOR WAR. [ARTICLE]

PREPARING FOR WAR.

THE WAR OFFICES OF EUROPE FEVERISHLY ACTIVE. Great Bodies of French Troops Spend Their Time in Military Exercise, and All Over France the Bugles’ Notes Are Heard— American Pension ClaimantsL London special dispatch.] A tourist just returned from a trip through the continent reports the following as the result of his observations; “The martial example set by the young German Emperor has caused all the war offices of Euiope to take on a feverish activity. More orders are issued, more inspections held, more investigations undertaken than ever before. Drilling everywhere is incessant. Great bodies, of troops march out of fortified cities every morning and spend the day in military exercises in the field. Never has such hard work been done before. To the traveler - the continent has the aspect of a fortified camp. Wherever troops are stationed, and they are everywhere, they are kept in motion from morning until night. All over France the sound of the bugle is heard, and the drillmaster is busy instructing recruits. Large masses of troops are continually moving from point to point on the frontiers. Changes are made ,to railroads to increase their strategic advantages. In the interior, troops are being constantly exercised, stores inspected, transportation tested, and experiments at mobilization made. It may almost be said that France is mobilized; she is ready for action and will not be taken by surprise again. The maneuvers now going on in the Romagna have grown out of the military spirit now prevailing throughout Europe. There are 50,000 thoroughly equipped and well-drilled troops going through the movements of an active campaign under the eye of King Humbert, who has formed a regular military establishment at Forli. There the general staff seriously plot operations on a large scale, and the army execute them from day to day. Italy has witnessed no such scene since Solferino. ( “Little Bulgaria, armed to the teeth, has caught the infection, and under the spirited lead of Prinoo Ferdinand, is marching her little army to and fro, and strengthening her fortifications and frontier posts. “Austria, stimulated by Germany, is gradually bringing her militaiy forces up to that degree of efficiency which is good in the eyes of her German critics. Her troops are continually on the move. Those on the frontier are relieved by fresh forces from the interior. The Hungarians, with their usual impetuosity, cry for action, and act as if they were preparing for immediate war. At the same time from all the Chancellories of the continent comesthe announcement: ‘ The peace of Europe will be maintained.’ ”