Affairs in Eastern Europe remain much as they were, no
new action having been taken. The Czar, in reply to an address from the Governor of Moscow, has telegraphed his " hope " that peace will endure in future and in the present year ; but the German Minister of War admitted on Thursday that the new Army Bill will add half-a-million of men to the strength of the Empire, and will cost for arms and equipments 212 10 s. a man The Austrians are also complaining that such large prepara- tions weaken them, and that it would be better to fight at once, more especially as the fight is certain to come off soon. Finally, the Militar Wochenblati, the official military journal of Berlin, states that the comparative forces stationed in the frontier districts of Germany, Austria, and Russia in truth rank thus :—Russia has 315,000 men, with 689 field-guns ; while Germany and Austria together have only 136,000 men, with 498 field-guns. Germans and Austrians, of course, rely on their superior power of mobilising large bodies ; but still, Russia would not accumulate such a mass of men for whom there is no sufficient accommodation, and who consequently suffer greatly from disease, if there were no idea of utilising the force. The military councils at Vienna have recommenced, and no approach to a settlement has been made in Bulgarian affairs. The out- look, in fact, is as gloomy as ever ; but the two Powers immediately concerned are looking round for loans, and not finding them easily.
