THE ARMY AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 267, 9 April 1914, Page 4

THE ARMY AND POLITICS.

'"Theirs not to reason why; theirs but to do or die." Memorable words these; that have been taken throughout the world as embodying the spirit permeating the British army. When that stirring sentiment was penned by the poet there could have been no doubt in his mind that they would be equally applicable so long as Britain's power lasted, but, alas, they are meaningless and hallow phrases to-day. A new era has opened up in the annals of the army, and the source from which it has emanated is exactly the same as that which culminated in the French revolution—the arrogance of the aristocracy. Already the cry has been heard for democratising tile army, and though it may be but the feeble utterances of a newly born child, yet it has all the possibilities of attaining to an overwhelming force. Hitherto it has been accepted as an axiom that the army and politics are as far apart as tke poles, so that tho extraordinary course taken by ceftain officers in evinc[ing pronounced political views, and by their resignations at a crisis in the history of tlie country have brought about" a state of affairs that in Germany wcfuld have led to a prompt trial by court-mar-tial, and subsequent punishment and disgrace. To make the position irons there has heen a species of bargaining over the duties they are to be called upon to perform. The precedent is one that aims a direct blow at military discipline, for it is tlie duty of a soldioi', whether an officer or in the ranks, to obey the commands of his superior!!. If an officer is to be allowed to exercise his own will when called upon to assist tho civil authorities in times ol stress, then there is an end of law and order, for mob law must prevail. There is quite sufficient danger, in these days, of tin ordinary soldier fraternising with n riotous mob, but in face : of tho discreditable example <?f those officers who weie so lost "to all sense of duty as to allow politics and class feeling to prevail over military objections, then the sooner the army is reorganised the better it will .be for the Old Country. It is all very well for men like Lord Roberts to play to the gallery and pose as militarf martyrs, but the game is dangerous, and the example unedifying. Army officers know perfectly well that troops are only used to quell riots with which the police are unable to cope, and that firing on a mob is an extreme measure. Sir Edward Carson and those extremists with whom he has been associated have brought about a state of afiaiis that has completely revolutionised all preconceived notions of political honor, and they have been the means of using the army as a stalking horse for political ends. It is indeed a pitiable exhibition of desperate and unconstitutional tactics, the results of which will be far-reaching ami may lead to most undesirable ends. Doubtless the suffragettes will rejoice over their lawless methods being taken as a guide, but all sane people must feel that u severe blow has been struck at army discipline by the attempt to subordinate the well-being of the army as well as the interests of law and order to the exigencies of a political party. Nothing but firmness and a drastic rehabilitation of the non-political nature of the army will restore public confidunco in military affairs. The fact that the British Prime Minister has taken up the control of the War Office is in itself evidence, of the gravity of the situation, and this exceptional step may bo regarded as tin? outward and visible sign of the determination to place the army in a position far removed from the sphere of political i turmoil.