Fewer Soldiers

The Government of Czecho-Slovakia sent to the Chamber of Deputies a bill providing for a reduction of the standing army from 150,000 men to 90,000. The provisions of this bill, received with satisfaction by the people and considered certain of being passed by Parliament, are to be in force for three years.

This reduction makes the Army about .065% of the total population, which is a lower percentage, based on official figures, than that of Rumania (about 1.25%) or Yugo-Slavia (about 1%). While criticism is ever facile, it cannot but be noticed that Czecho-Slovakia, who has led Central Europe in peace talk, has at last given proof of her sincerity.