Makes The Germans Exult.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 23, 1913:
France's Action Called Admission That She Has No More Recruits.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    BERLIN, Feb. 22.— Despite the fact that France's proposed new armament measure will result in greatly increasing her peace standing, there is a good deal of quiet exultation over the news in German military circles.
    It is looked upon as an admission in effect of what has long been realized — namely, that France has no more recruits available and no other way of increasing her army except by lengthening the term of service. Germany, on the contrary, excuses from service about 50,000 able-bodied men yearly because there is no place to put them. Moreover, many thousands are excused as unfit for military service, who would be enrolled in France.
    Germany's birthrate, although falling, is still much higher than that of France and German militarists feel that France is at the end of her rope. As far as again increasing her army is concerned, there is question that France has the necessary money, but it is felt that God not only fights on the side of the heaviest artillery but also with the biggest battalions, and, while the French spirit of willingness to sacrifice is highly praised, it is felt that the latest move will, in Bismark's words, bleed her white.
    As far as the possibility of further increases are concerned it is pointed out also that Germany not only has a greater population but that her per capita debt is less, and her per capita expenditures for armaments is less.
    Therefore, Germany is able to hold the lead in the contest of military strength.
    Some of the most prominent writers and authorities on military affairs affect to believe that France's latest action has no connection with Germany's coming armament bills, asserting that the French increases were decided on long ago. However that may be, they say that Germany must go on her way without regard to what other nations do. They lay stress on the fact that Germany has preserved Europe's peace on several occasions and given evidence of her lack of desiring war.
    This, of course, is true, but the stubborn fact remains, nevertheless, that Germany has been indirectly responsible for practically every increase in European armaments for many years.