Moreover, Germany in recent years formed a number of ambitious projects
of expansion and colonization which would probably bring her into
conflict with other countries. In order to assure herself of success,
Germany proceeded to enlarge and otherwise improve the organization and
equipment of her army. This led France and Russia to enlarge their
armies. So the competition went on.

GERMANY'S NAVY.--For over a century Great Britain's control of the
seas had been almost undisputed. In order to carry out her projects of
expansion, Germany required a fleet which, while perhaps not so large as
that of Great Britain, would be large enough to make the result of a
naval battle questionable. Huge money grants were obtained from the
German people, and for a time more battleships were built by Germany
than by England. England dared not permit the naval superiority to pass
into Germany's hands. The result was a competition in dreadnaught
building quite as feverish as the competition in armies. The building
and maintenance of these great fleets were a heavy burden upon the
people of both countries. England made several offers to limit the
competition by promising to build no ships in any year in which Germany
would build none, but Germany in every case refused to agree to the
plan.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. Make a chart showing the
comparative sizes of European armies in 1914. 2. In the same
way compare the European navies in 1914. 3. What effect is
produced upon a country by an aristocratic military class? 4.
Compare the German military policy with that of the United
States. 5. Will disarmament be one of the good results of
this war?