IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 57, 8 March 1901, Page 4

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

THE ARMY SYSTEM

REFORMS PROMISED,

By Telegraph—Press Assoeiation—Copyright

London, March 0.

In the House of Lords, the debate on the Aimy statement was resumed, and quietly concluded. In view of the coming reform proposals to be introduced by Mr Broderick, the Marquis of Lausdowno reserved his defence.

The Duke of Devonshire complained of Lord Wolseley’s action in not indicating instances wherein he found himself helpless, but said'that doubtless Lord Wolseley would be given an opportunity of replying when the enquiry into war operations opened after the war.

Lord Salisbury, while denying that Lord Lansdowne intended to make a personal attack on Lord Wolseley, emphasised the unaltered supremacy of the Secretary of War, acting on beha’f of Parliament, over the entire administration of the army. This was tho bedrock circumstance of the constitution, wherefrom it was impossible to depart. The results of the system depended not on the machine but upon the brilliancy and vigor of tho men employed. In the course of the Army debate in the House of Lords, Earl Northbrook declared that according to an Order-in-Council, the responsibility for the condition of tho auxiliary forces rested on the Adjutant-General, who was responsible to the Secretary for War.

■ Earl Spencer said the Commander-in-Chief’s duty was to give advico to the Secretary for War. If the Secretary refused to accept it, thon the responsibility rested with him. The Earl of Rosebery said all mistakes and frictions originated through nominally retaining retaining Com-mander-in-Chief as a hierarchy, while really reducing him to a pale shadow. The only flaw in Lord Wolseley’s speech was the recommendation for an appeal to the public. The Times, commenting on the debate, considers real reform would bo found in decentralisation downwards.

In the House of Commons, Mr Broderick, replying to a question in reference to the peace negotiations with General Botha, said ho had no statement to make on the subject. In the House of Lords, Lord Rosebery suggested a secret Parliamentary Committee, systematically to consult with representatives of the War Office and Admiralty, with a view to testing the efficiency of the forces.