The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-20 00:00:00

THE INDIAN ARMY.

A discussion has taken place at the United Service
Institution on the military prize essay by Captain
Browne, the subject of which was: "Should the
European army in India be continued as at present
constituted, or should it be converted in whole or in
part into a local force." The chair was taken by
Lord Chelmsford. The points suggested for discus-
sion were—The requirements of the British Empire
with regard to the European army maintained in
India, and are they met by the present military
system; the system in force under the H.E.I.C. ; the
results of localising the whole European force in
India; the changes suggested in the essay; and alter-
native suggestions. Sir Lumley Graham, in opening
the discussion, pointed out that all the essayists who
competed seemed agreed that the present system was
insufficient, and that our army in India ought to
include the very best men that could be got. They also
agreed that partial localisation would be bad, and most
of them wore against localisation at all. He approved
of Captain Browne's suggestion to lengthen the term of
service,. and thought the change that would arise
under it would be so simple as to very slightly dis-
arrange the present system. Sir F. Haines said that
as regarded Indian and foreign service the short term
stood condemned. But as it was part and parcel of
our military system it must have a locus standi some-
where. He strongly objected, however, to India
being the training-ground for the reserves. India
should have the very best service and men that
could be got. To furnish men for the reserves she
had been defrauded of the best portion of a soldier's
career. The system hitherto pursued he thought
would soon be condemned; and there was already
manifest a tendency to lengthen the service. He
was opposed to any restoration of the local system,
and preferred to depend upon the British system
alone for the army of the future in India. Sir Beau-
champ Walker expressed himself as opposed to any re-
turn to the old state of things, when there was a distinct
Indian army. Sir Edwin Johnson, referring to the treat-
ment accorded to the old East India Company's army,
protested against restoring that army either wholly or
partially. Sir Hills Johnes protested against the short
service system being applied to India. Captain
Bullock said we wanted trained troops at home, and
there was not a regiment up to its full strength. The
Indian army ought not to depend upon getting trained
soldiers from home. It would be better to have a
short term for home service and allow men to
register for foreign service, ten years in India to
entitle to a pension. After remarks from Mr.
Pringle, Colonel Galbraith, and Captain Browne,
Lord Chelmsford said the isolation of the Indian
army appeared to be very generally condemned, and
it was impossible to separate that army from the
military organisation of the Empire. No doubt there
was a tendency to special considerations, but they
must all admit that the well-being and requirements
of the Indian army had not been considered hitherto.
They were all deeply interested in the well-being and
efficiency of the Indian army, and he hoped that the
many excellent suggestions in the prize eszay would
be seriously considered.