Abstract

Germany's Financial Difficulties

Germany's great mistake three years before the World War I was in miscalculating the time element. Her scheme for financing war was no doubt admirable for a conflict of three or six months, but quite the reverse of admirable for one of three years. Of this she must now be fully convinced. Indications, indeed, point to the fact that the post-bellum finances have become a nightmare to the German mind. After the war Germany would have to raise an annual revenue of at least $3,250,000,000, or one-third of the $9,750,000,000 at which the writer estimates the annual taxable income of the country. Another German publication questions this estimate, and implies that if the war lasts until April, 1917, the taxation needed will be nearer $4,000,000,000.