The nearer we approach to the crisis the more serious is the situation regarded by the better newspapers. The _Neue Preussische Zeitung_ in June tells of the surprising spirit of sacrifice there is in France and of the quiet efforts that are being made to strengthen the army: “If the revenge cries have almost ceased that does not in the least mean that the idea has been given up; on the contrary, they already reckon on the war as on a sure thing.” Of the Russian military preparations, the Vienna _Neue Freie Presse_ writes on June twelve: “About two months ago it became known that Russia had set aside two hundred sixteen million _kronen_ (a _krone_ is about a franc) for military exercises and especially for a ‘mobilization.’ The great amount of this sum will be realized when one remembers that Austria spends about ten millions for all of its military exercises put together. Under the harmless title of ‘trial-mobilization’ and the still more harmless one of ‘exercises for the reserves’ Russia, then, for a period of six weeks, is placing its giant army practically on a war-footing. Think of 1,800,000 men holding military exercises at a time when Austria has 200,000, Germany from 300,000 to 400,000 trained men at her immediate disposal! Whether it be intentional or not this implies so imminent a threat that the neighbors will need the greatest ‘cold-bloodedness’ to allow these ‘military exercises’ to pass without friction. _These exercises signify the most colossal endangering of the peace that was ever attempted under the form of a periodically recurring measure of organization_, and it would not be surprising if all those who long for a peaceful turn of political affairs were to be completely embittered…. _To add to this dark aspect comes the relatively enormous credit demanded by the Servian military administration_—123,000,000. It is as much in proportion as though Austria were to demand a billion and a half. Since 1908 Servia has been arming uninterruptedly, and now again spends this sum on military purposes the tendency of which practically amounts to a direct threatening of her neighbors.” The _Hallesche Zeitung_ on the twenty-third of June discusses the various alliances: “Originally the Russian-French alliance was a military convention, in the last few months there has been added a naval agreement. It is desired to enter with united forces into the great decisive struggle for the division of the world. Russia wants elbow-room as far as the North Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Baltic, besides free entry into the Mediterranean.”