For $90,000,000 War Chest.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 29, 1913:
German Army Fund of $262,500,000 Will Triple Spandau Treasure.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    BERLIN, March 28.— Details of the German Army's increase are published in an extra edition of the official North German Gazette to-night. The sum of $262,500,000 ($11,250,000 more than the highest figure hitherto mentioned) is to be spent.
    The most striking new feature of the project is the scheme to increase the "war chest," which has hitherto consisted of $30,000,000 in gold, by $60,000,000. The present "war chest" is made up of gold which formed part of the French war indemnity. It is kept to enable Germany to mobilize her forces at any moment regardless of existing monetary conditions. The gold, which is stored in the famous Julius Tower at Spandau, will in future amount to $90,000,000 instead of $30,000,000.
    The annual cost of maintaining the increased military establishment will be from $45,000,000 to $47,000,000. The gross increase of army personnel in two years will be 136,000 officers and men, and 27,000 horses will be added. The initial cost of the increase will be met by a "defense tax" on all fortunes over $2,500 at the rate of one-half of 1 per cent. There will also be a supplementary tax of 2 per cent, on incomes over $12,500. The recurring expense will be met mainly by increasing the so-called "matricular contributions" of the Federal States to the imperial Treasury at the rate of 30 cents per head of population.
    The army increase also provides "fresh means for the development of the aerial fleet," but no details are given.
    The reason advanced for the increase of the military establishment is the alteration of the balance of power in Europe in consequence of the Balkan war.
    "Germany," says The Gazette, "If war were forced upon her, would have to defend her long frontiers simultaneously against several enemies." The underlying idea of the increase is described as an "extension of the principle of universal military service in accordance with the present status of population." Reigning Princes are to bear the same taxes as subjects.