The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1902. BRITISH ARMY REORGANISE TION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 81, 11 April 1902, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1902. BRITISH ARMY REORGANISE TION.

Ever since the war in South Africa began, and the colonies took a hand in the game, it became clear that sooner or later a comprehensive army rtform N, scheme would be forthcoming embracing the colonies. The enormous fighting strength of the colonies has come as a surprise to the whole world, and 1D statesmen recognise that the colonies will play an important part in ar.y future war. The question to be faced is how best to organise the whole fighting strength of the Empire without interfering with the independence of the great self-governing colonies. A special correspondent of the New Zealand Times, wiring his paper from Auckland on the arrival of the Ecglish mail, says:—" Fuller particulars in the latest English papers of the British " Army scheme foreshadowed by Mr Brodrick state that the new proposal for the defence of the entire Empire is now bbing considered by a committee representing both the War and the Colonial Office. Details of the scheme are only known to a few, and the greatest care is being exercised to preserve the secrecy of the proposals, the intention being to bring the matter before the colonial representatives who will be in England at the coronation ceremony, with a view to pave the way for its ultimate adoption by the colonies generally. From what can be gathered, Great Britain and Ireland will produce and equip six army corps, three of whicb, representing, with cavalry brigades, a force of 150,000 men, will be prepared to take the field in defence oP the colonies, or against any European Power. This will leave a home des fence of a similar number, besides a 1 large number of militia, yeomanry and volunteers allotted to the coast and garrison defence. India is to provide an army corps from each of the three presidencies. Lord Kitchener is to reorganise the Indian army when he can be spared from South Africa. South Africa will raise two army corps, one of which will be available for service anywhere. Australia is expected to provide two,-and New Zealand one; whilst Canada will add four militia army corps, which could be wholly used if required. All the army corps will be provided with the latest pattern of armament. The scheme provides for the largest army in the world, and in lime probably the most efficient. There is to be a large extension of the systom of garrison regiments, in which the Royal Marines will co operate when they aie removed from the ships. The proposals assert that if the Imperial service is mide sufficiently attractive, there will be no difficulty in making good abroad all the deficiencies of recruiting now experienced at Home. Some of the crack regiments will tour in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. A battalion of the Guards is to be stationed at Cape Town. These regiments will be allowed to recruit beyond their ordinary establishment, the surplus being drafted te> other battalions, During the carrying out of the annual reliefs, men will be free to join any branch of his Majesty's ft"ny in any part of a British colony, a;jd will be sent at the public expense to join such army when opportunities occur. In his speech Mr Brodrick said ' I trust it may be possible that arrangtmtnts may be made by which ' the whole forces of the Empire weuld | be available in case of a war in which 9 the whole Empire would be involved.

Ln opportunity for conferring with our: olonia! friends on this subj will „ ccur at the coronation.' Tbis is be-! , ieved to foreshadow the m t»st im,ortant military scheme kn own in Dnglish history." ' '