THE ENGLISH IN INDIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ENGLISH IN INDIA.

The lessons of the mutiny have not been forgotten. The English army of 40,000 men has been increased fco 72,000, and the Native Army of 250,000 men has been reduced to 152,000, and out of lO3batteries of artillery 88 are manned by Europeans. But this force, numerically small, ie better armed and better equipped, and with the assistance of the railways can be concentratedon any point with the utmost facilty. Three thousand soldiers suffice for Bengal, aud the rest of the army is available for more turbulent provinces. Twenty thousand volunteers make a satisfactory auxiliary force, and a native reserve is being created. The questions of transport and commissariat are not easy of solution, but great improvements have been made, and perfection is aimed at. The Staff Corps has come into existence within the last thirty years, and when cured of its superabundance of Generals and its extensive retiring allowances, will not on the whole be a disapointment to its originators. The position of the officers in it has improved. Tho possibility of a liussian attack ou' India is now admitted; the indolent security in which we were lulled has been dispelled, and we have endeavored to make the northwest impregnable. We have now opposed to llussia a line of formidable defences, outside of which is a friendly Afghanistan, and insido is a host of British troops, intrepid English, sturdy Sikh, and active Gurkha, ranged under theflag which to .them has been the signal of victory for generations. Emphatically peace and. publio works has been the motto of the last thirty years, and beneficent reforms have followed in their train.—Bombiy Gazette.