41

A.—4a

order that they may be capable of assisting in the military defence of the Empire in accordance with the requirements indicated in Part I. Certain definite proposals are also formulated* for giving practical effect to the acceptance of these principles. - 2. A common system of war organization implies that the general methods— (1.) Of organization of units and formations, (2.) Of drill and training, (3.) Of staff and administrative duties, (4.) Of maintenance with personnel, supplies, and equipment, are identical, so that, whenever officers and men are concentrated together into a unit, they will be capable of forming an effective part of the forces in the field. 3. As regards the organization of units and larger formations, attention is invited to the organizations which at present exist for Imperial defence in the United Kingdom, India, and the Dominions, and also the fields of action for which they are available. From a study of these organizations it appears that, while some progress has certainly been made, much remains to be done before it can be said that the forces of the Empire are organized on a common pattern. At present, except in the case of Canada and Australia, which have a certain number of brigades, no higher organization than that of the regiment exists in the Dominions. Again, in none is it at present legally possible for a military unit to volunteer, as such, for service over-sea as part of an Imperial Army. As regards the existing units, we find mounted regiments with five to two squadrons, field artillery brigades with three to two batteries, infantry in regiments and battalions with a widely varying number of companies to each, and often single companies without a higher organization. The number of infantry units is, as a rule, out of proportion to that of units of the other arms, and there is a great deficiency in the administrative services, such as supply, transport, and medical units. 4. If the Dominions wish to have the power of affording prompt and effective help in the defence of the Empire, their military forces should be organized and trained in peace on a standard system, so that, when the necessity arises, complete units and formations may be available for combined action over-seas, as part of a homogeneous Imperial Army. The first step towards rendering such an Imperial Army effective for combined action in war is the adoption of Imperial War Establishments, i.e., tables showing in detail the numbers of -personnel, animals, guns, and vehicles, and the scales of ammunition, tools and explosives, and supplies, with which the various formations and units composing an army take the field on mobilisation. These might be based on Home War Establishments, but should contain different scales for transport, supply, &c, to suit campaigns in different countries. 5. At home and in India, previous defects in war organization have recently been remedied, as far as the Regular troops are concerned. At home, the organization of the troops allotted to the Field Army in Brigades and Divisions has been carried out, so that from the Regular Army at home and in the Colonies and Egypt. 7 Cavalry or Mounted Brigades, and 7 Divisions, exclusive of Lines of Communication troops, can be mobilised for over-sea service in the defence of the Empire. From the British and native troops in India, a field army of 8 Mounted Brigades, and 9 Divisions, is available by its terms of service for employment in war. In addition to the above, the Territorial troops of the United Kingdom have received a Divisional and Brigade organization practically identical with that

A common system of war organization.

The present situation.

Necessity for a homogeneous Imperial Army.

How this can be produced.

The United Kingdom and India. (a.) Begular troops.

(b.) Territorial troops.