BRITAIN'S NEW MILITARY SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 37, 15 February 1900, Page 3

BRITAIN'S NEW MILITARY SCHEME.

A BIG INCREASE IN REGULARS TO BIS MADE. THE TIMES THINKS THE SCHEME DISAPPOINTING. [pee pbuss association.] (Received 14, 3.10 a.m.) London, February 13. The Marquis of LunsJowiie, Secretary for War, in the Bouse of Lords, and Mr. G. Wyndham, Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office, in the House of Commons, explained the now military scheme, which, they declared, was tentative and designed to meet a great emergency by though ultimately it might possibly form an integral part of a ptrmaueut reorganisation. Thoreure still available for home defence 109,000 regulars arid 328,000 auxiliaries. It was proposed to increase the regulars by 30,000, and the Government hoped by means of encouragement to induce the auxiliaries to attain to their full establishment soon, bringing the number of trained raen nearer 600,000 than 500,000, and this without haviDg recourse to modified conscription or a revival of tho militia ballot. In addition to tho increase iu the strength of the various departments of j the regular army, volunteer artillery j would be provided with modern guns and invited to train for three months annually; volunteers would be armed with the besfcweipou ; more rifle ranges would be pro vie! d; and increased j capitation grant f.ud other assistance would be o iven, They, too, ■ would be encgwwged tQ

| a proportion of mounted infantry, . Altogether 253 artillery officers and 622 officers of the line would be required, and the bulk of these commissions would be offered to colonists, militia, and students of the universities and public schools. The scheme provides for the formation o f twelve permanent line battalions, besides the three infantry battalions authorised last year. There will also be special inducement ottered to time-expired men to join for one year. The Engineers and Army Service Corps will be increased, and provision is also made for the creation of 36 batteries of field artillery, and seven of horse artillery/ The new guns would consist of fifteenpounders of the most modern type and some howitzer corps. It was intended to prepare immediately permanent plant for two more army corps, which in time of puace would not be maintained at the war strength, but utilised as training establishments. The pay of the militia will be put on a par with regulars, and the force will be embodied for three or four months instead of one, and provided with permanent transport, Yeomanry will be invited to go under canvas for a month and their pay will be increased. They will be encouraged to supply a proportion of mounted infantry. Lord Salisbury decided against the inclusion of militia ballot in the military programme, Sir Charles Dilke, Mr, Arnold Forster, and several military members delivered critical speeches. The Times regards the scheme as disappointing, and says it displays a lack of principle and imagination, adding that a rare opportunity has not been properly utilised.