"IF WE WENT TO WAR."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2005, 12 March 1914, Page 5

"IF WE WENT TO WAR."

BRITAIN'S SMALL ARMY.

HELP FROM OVERSEAS;

By TclcETtDh—Press Association—Oopyriirht (Rec. March 11, 10.25 p.m.) London, March 11. Colonel Seely (Secretary of State for War), when introducing the Army Estimates, said that although there was a shortage-of 8000 in the establishment, of the regular-army, there was a surplus of 13,000 reservists. The speeding up of the system of mobilisation had been remarkably successful, and the plans for tho organisation of the expeditionary force of 162,000 wero complet-e in all details—so,ooo men of all arms could be got ready in a- few hours to go anywhere. '

Though the Territorials were 56,000 short of tho establishment, tho year's recruiting had been the biggest en record;' and there'had been a continuous and 'substantial increase in their efficiency. 'It was not'said that such an army would be able to meet every. Imperial call. "For this," said tho speaker, "we want tho help of the Dominions oversea. But our Army will be to cope with any bolt from tho blue.' The national reserve is now over 217,000.

"If wo went to war to-morrow, we should want 102,000 horses'. There are 275,000 available. It is not true that foreigners are depleting the British supply. Test 3 for accuracy, added tho speaker, showed that the American rifle was-first, -and the British second, but the. British weapon was superior in all round, reliability..