43

A.—4a

This year three important manuals have been issued to the Army, viz., " Field Service Regulations," Parts I. and 11., and " Training and Manoeuvre Regulations." Field Service Regulations, Part I. (Operations), deals with the general principles which govern the leading of the Army in war, and upon it the trainingmanuals of the various arms are based. Field Service Regulations, Part 11. (War Organization and Administration), gives the principles and rules which govern the duties of the Staff and Administrative Services respectively, as well as the system of maintenance in personnel, supplies and materiel, of any army in the field. Training and Manoeuvre Regulations give the principles and instructions for peace training, both individual and collective, as well as the rules governing the conduct of staff tours, regimental exercises, and manoeuvres. In addition to the above, there are the separate training manuals in use by the various arms of the Service, e.g., Cavalry, Artillery, Engineers, Infantry, &c. 12. For all staff and administrative work it is suggested that the Governments of the Dominions should accept and adopt the principles in the three manuals quoted above. 13. Reference has already been made to the matter of personnel. As regards supplies and equipment, it cannot be expected that the Dominions should at once adopt the patterns in use in the Home Regular Army in all particulars, though they can adopt its methods. At the same time it must be pointed out that serious inconvenience and difficulty in the administration of an army in the field is invariably caused by departures from uniformity in materiel. In the case of arms and ammunition such a lack of .uniformity may have the gravest effects on the issue of an action. It is hoped therefore that the Dominions may see their way to adopt, as soon as possible and as far as possible, the pattern of all stores, equipment, arms, and ammunition in use by the British Army in the field. 14. In order that the various parts of the Empire may be in a position to place an efficient Imperial Army in the field, should circumstances require it, it is suggested that a constructive policy should at once be adopted, and that a plan, suited to its own special conditions, should be laid down as a starting point by each Dominion. The following questions are submitted for consideration in pursuance of such a policy :— Ist. In each part of the Empire willing to make its preparations on such lines as will enable it, should it so desire, to take its share in the general defence of the Empire? 2nd. Shall the war establishments of units of the Dominion forces be assimilated as far as possible to the approved war establishments of units of the Regular forces ? 3rd. Will the Dominions endeavour to organize their existing forces so as to be capable of mobilising in accordance with the above establishments for a common Imperial object ? 4th. Will the Dominions adopt, as far as practicable, the Field Service Regulations and Training Manuals issued to the Home Regular Army as the basis of the organization, administration, and training of their troops? sth. Are the Dominions prepared to adopt, as far as possible, Imperial patterns of arms, equipment and stores ? If the foregoing questions are answered in the affirmative, the details could be worked out by the local General Staffs under the orders of the Governments of the Dominions, the War Office being referred to when necessary.

Proposal— Staff and administrative duties. Proposal— Personnel, supplies and equipment.

Summary of proposals.

7—A. 4a.