THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1908. IS IT AN ARMY CRISIS?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9190, 12 September 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1908. IS IT AN ARMY CRISIS?

Unless rumours in quarters usually to be credited are singularly misinformed, says the London "Telegraph," we are approaching one of the gravest crises in the history of the Army. It is understood that a section of the Cabinet definitely contemplate another reduction of the Army by no less than 30,000. This disastrous course is one to which Ministers are not yet finally committed, but there is a real danger that it will be taken by the Government unless the anger and condemnation of the country are expressed in such unmistakable terms as to compel a pause.' The reductions in the professional forces, which should have been made last —if at all—were made first. It is estimated that when the measures taken in the last two years have produced their full effect the number of our Regular troops will be smaller by no less than 36,000 cempared with the strength we poss-

essed when the present Government took office. Even if the Territorial Army were at full strength this would represent a mistaken decision. As matters are, it has turned out to be a lamentaole and deplorable policy. The whole pieces of throwing away trained strength had been regarded by the country with perplexity and misgiving. Already 36,000 men have gone. Another 30,000 are to go if the so-called economists havo their way. That id the proposition, and it is the policy which will prevail.unless, the faction that is fighting for it in the Cabinet is beaten by public opinion. Strict military issues are nut occupying the attention of Ministers. They are concernedi.with Parliamentary manoeuvres. There are two very distinct factors in the Government. There are ' the seniors in a quandary. There are the young men in a hurry, who will stick at nothing to win thfdr goal, and who desire to get there quick. Mr Asquith is now confronted with the Nemesis of bis notorious Budget. He committed the country to vast, to unlimited, to almost illimitable expenditure. The motto of the forward school in the Cabinet practically amounts to this: Let the Social programme prevail; though the Empire fall. It was at first thought that the Navy might be successfully plundered. But the situation is serious enough in that respect to fill even our present Government with affright. Unless there is a large increase in the Naval Estimates next year, another Power would be positively equal to us in strength in the narrow seas, and perhaps slightly superior by the beginning of 1912. For weeks, as is well-known, the War Office has been under the knife. Mr Churchill has been allowed to overhaul all its business. It is said that the Household Cavalry are tp be cut down from three regiments to one—a change that would deprive our greatest State ceremonials of the military dignity which it is of high political importance to retain.