DEFENCE MATTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 16

DEFENCE MATTERS.

LORD ESHER ON WAR AND PEACE.

Lord Esher is one of many public men whost minds were formed in the Victorian Era, and find it difficult to adapt themselves to England’s changed conditions. Sometimes Lord Esher in particular recalls Falkland, to whom tho Rebellion, though he took an active part in it, turned to gloom. His prototype to-day (says “Broad Arrow”) has not gone so far, because we are not yet at war, in the technical sense at any rate, hut the burden of his cry is “ seek peace.” Such spirits, no doubt, help a nation to remember things that it is not well to forget, but they never mark the history of their time. It was not Falkland, but Hampden, Cromwell and kindred 60uls who did that in the seventeenth century. Similarly, the men who follow tho lead of Beresford, Roberts, Kitchener and Milner will save Britain from the consequences of the dry rot of opulence. To describe war as “ the killing of men by men,” and therefore an outrage on common sense and on common humanity, is surely a sign of a morbid view. In tile processes in industry the loss of life is infinitely greater, than in war, and under conditions akin to slow torture. The truth is the number killed in actual conflict is relatively small in battle, the chief losses being the result of disease. No doubt when man ceases to prey on his kind for gain there will no longer be any need for the soldier to risk his life for patriotism. Like all public men who preach Sacifism, disguised or undisguised, Lord Isher lets it be seen that it is not so much the killing of men in war that he dreads as the economic losses involved, which distinctly marks him out from Lord Falkand, whose soul was too lofty for such considerations. Lord Eslier really wants “an agreement based on partial disarmament,” which might be " practicable ” if the two groups—tho Triple Entente'and Triple Alliance—” could be drawn together by the centrifugal force of some great explanatory and illuminating doctrine.’ This is as engaging as M. Nelidow’s “luminous star of pease and justice.” What we should remember is that the most anxious searcher after the elixir of peace is the one that needs it- most in the eyes of rival Powers, which take their measures accordingly.

' NEW BATTLE HONOUR. A recent Army Order stated that his Majesty the King had approved of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and the King’s Royal Rifle Corps being permitted to bear upon the regimental colours or appointments the honorary distinction “ North America 1763-64,” in recognition of services rendered during the war against the Red Indians (Pontiac’s Conspiracy). The operations in question extended over a wide area of country bordering on and to the south of the Great Lakes, and were of a most arduous nature. In the summer of 1763 the Indians under the leadership of Pontiac, a chieftain of exceptional ability and influence, treacherously attacked the outlying British forts, which were mainly gainsoned by detachments of the Ist Battalion 60th Royal American Regiment (now the King’s Royul Rifle Corps;. In many instances the garrisons of the forts and settlers in their neighbourhood were barbarously murdered. Fort Detroit, an important post between Lakes Huron and Eric, was besieged for fifteen months before it was relieved. Fort Pitt, another important strategical post on the Ohio River, was also invested, but was relieved by a force under Colonel Bouquet, Royal Americans, who defeated the Indians at- Bushy Run after a severe engagement lasting two days. The 42nd (Black Watch), the Ist Bnttalion 60th Royal Americans (less the detachments garrisoning the forts), and the 77th Montgomery’s Highlanders (a regiment since disbanded) were present in this action. Eventually, after a period of some eighteen months of desultory warfare, the, leaders of the various tribes involved sued for peace, and hostilities were concluded on the surrender of the principal chiefs as hostages and the return of some 300 captives to the British camp.