ARMY AND MODERN HISTORY.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43067, 12 March 1907, Page 4

ARMY AND MODERN HISTORY.

Speaking on the study of modem history to the members of the Aidershot .Military Society the. other day, Lord Esher, insisted upon its. necessity for every officer of the British Army. In this connection he said there was -no phrase that Englishmen were: fonder of than that of thie “Sea-girt Isle. But modem history showed the phrase had lost its ancient meaning, although, th© 'Blue Water School’ based their contentions upon its accuracy. The argument of the extreme blue-water school was that Great Britain required for her defence the strongest possible navy, and, subject' to that condition being fulfilled, her army in time of peace, must be reduced) to ai. police force. But there never was a more fatal illusion, for modern history showed that while sea power might be thie decisive it 'could not be the Sole factor in a war for Empire It was a grave delusion to attempt to relegate all knowledge of European history to officers of the General Staff. Germany was not a good model for us. The British officer, from the most senior to the most junior, was liable to be placed in positions of responsibility, owing to the exigencies of Imperial rule, wholly different from and for greater than those which any German officer was ordinar'b- asked to occupy. Sir John French, as president of the society, thoroughly endorsed Lord Esher’s advice.