The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1912. BRITISH ARMY MANOEUVRES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 55, 29 October 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1912. BRITISH ARMY MANOEUVRES.

1 The suggestion that the abrupt abandonment of the British Army manoeuvres was due to the extreme efficiency of the aeroplane scouts, a new arm of the service, is, it appears, ridiculed in certain official quarters, though this reason was at first cabled

as official. One field correspondent’s account conveys the impression that great generals in famous battle of the past had comparatively nothing to think about compared with the commanders of the Red and Blue forces who spent the whole day altering their plans, and sending infantry and cavalry to a dozen places, only to find that everywhere the enemy, warned by the swift air scouts, had an immovable force prepared to meet what should have been their irresistible advance, and so both sides were utterly worn out before they could really come to a decisive stand. The correspondent of another leading journal was not so well satisfied with the conduct of the air scouts. He records a surprise visited on the defending force, which “should have read the Staff a lesson against placing too much confidence in aerial observation. This is the curse of this confounded close country.” Though there is much disagreement as to the results of the manoeuvres among experts and fancied experts, it is at least refreshing to learn that the British Army, as a whole, may still be regarded as a force to be reckoned with. There were many distinguished visitors who watched operations, and one of them was Colonel Hughes, Canada’s Minister of Militia. His tribute is a high one, for he says;—“l am delighted at the change I observe in the British Army. 1 have no hesitation in saying I have just returned from watching the manoeuvres of the finest army in the world, barring none. What impressed me most of all, perhaps, was the marked development in the intclli-

genco nf all ranks, men and hoys alike. Physically, 1 believe, the condition of the men, which was excellent before, shows little change. But what did please me immensely was their clean, keen, alert look and smart hearing, which suggested that individuality was more highly developed, and that the men took a very real and serious interest in their work. The men arc crtainly keener than ever before. Their discipline, by which I mean their self-control, likewise struck me very forcibly. Officers, non-commisioned officers, and men also showed what I consider fine judgment in taking cover, and protecting the movements of their comrades with a covering fire. These arc two very important things which were not so strongly developed as they might have been, perhaps, during the South African War.”

DEFENCE. Discussing the recent Legislation, Wellington “Evening Post” says : —“ln regard to local defence, it must indeed he acknowledged that the attitude of the Government is all that could he desired. Would that we could say as much with regard to Imperial defence! When Mr Allen goes to London, the Minister of Defence will be there as well as the Minister of Finance. iAs Minister of Defence he will naturally be curious to learn the v'ews of the Imperial Defence Committee on naval policy in the Pacific. But is it not likely that the Committee will show a little curiosity in return ? and, as he will have to speak for the Government rather than for himself, will not this curiosity prove very embarrassing? Mr Allen’s own views on naval policy are clear, vigorous, and well known; but the policy of the Government as a whole is for the present summed up in that blessed word “taihoa.’ The Government hopes to acquire some settled convictions during the recess, but it has not much time for the quest if Mr Allen is to be in London in January or February and is to be equipped with the 1 Government’s instructions before he leaves. We trust that, for the credit of us all, the Government’s decision will be prbmpt, bold, and worthy of the Imperial spirit of our people.”