The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-18 00:00:00

E4e 3touriyibge Aperber.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1871.

OUR ARMY.

In the army estimates for the present year,
we see a plain proof of the evils of war beyond
those countries immediately affected by it. The
Franco-Prussian war had scarcely been declared,
when Parliament thought it necessary to vote a
supplementary estimate of two millions. For
the financial year of 1871.2 the army estimates
are £15,851,700; for the preceding year they
were £12,965,000, showing an increase of
.L 2,886,700. In round numbers we may call
this three millions sterling. The force of the
army is to be considerably increased numerically. '
We are to have 135,037 men of all ranks, as
compared with 115,037 last year. Last year we
expended only £820,400 in the supply, Ste., of
warlike stores; this year the amount for the same
item is £1,815,800. Last year we spent
£4,771,000 in regimental pay ;this year the item
will amount to £5,411,900. We are to have
4,296 more horses this year than last. The pay
and allowances to the Militia exhibit an increase
of £237, 300; to the Volunteers, £73,300; and
to the Army Reserve, £61,200.
Such facts as these are in themselves far from
pleasant. Till almost the very outbrealeof the
war England felt herself secure, and the prob-
abilities of continued peace were very strong.
The Government were therefore enabled—with
the general sanction of the country, though is
minority were much opposed to such a course--
to effect considerable reductions in our army
and navy estimates, and mainly by this means
to lighten our financial burdens; but all this is
now counteracted, and we must prepare for in-
creased taxation. There are, however, consola-
tory reflections on the other hand. The larger
part of our increased Rimy expenditure will be
disbursed in our own country, and will so far be-
nefit trade. Works and buildings, engineering
experiments and operations, the strengthening
of our fortifications—all this means money spent
among the working classes; while the increased
numerical strength of the army means so much
extra employment for our labouring people who
might otherwise be out of work. It may be of
course replied that increased army estimates
directly tend to heavier burdens on all taxpayers.
This must be admitted; but though true, it is
only part of the truth, and the whole truth should
be fairly looked at. The grand consideration,
however, is that these increased estimates are
made with the sole object of increasing the effi-
ciency of our army, and that they will undoubt-
edly have that effect. In taking this course
Ministers have merely acted in accordance with
the3wevailing feeling of the country. Whatever
opinions we may hold as to war in the abstract,
and however desirous we may be to maintain
peaee, we are forced to the conviction that in-
creased military efficiency is absolutely neces-
sary to the maintenance, not so much of the,
dignity as the safety of our country. Compara-
tively speaking, our navy is already in a most
efficient condition, and the navy estimates will
show a very small increase as contrasted with
those we have been referring to; but with regard
to our army there can be no doubt that the
House of Commons will do well to ratify the
proposals of the Government.
There is one thing 'in connection with Cie
military policy of the present Government that
will give general satisfaction—that they maintain
the principle of voluntary enlistment. Sir Win.
Mansfield, the Commander of the Forces in Ire-
land, who is known to have been in close con-
nection with the Government, created some
• alarm by speaking so strongly as he did in favour
of compulsory setw.ce in the militia ; but tl
country, as a whole, is oppesed to any sucn
scheme, end we may rest assured that no Gov-
ernment would propose it till it became abso-
lutely necessary, and we are for from that point
yet. Bat if this feature of the military policy
rA our policy is satisfactory to the nation, on [M-
aher point there is a somewhat uneasy feeling.
These army estimates certainly do eot fore-
shadow the abolition of the purchase systeid •
New this is ar. forte which is daily becuminl•
more and more urgently demanded by the mutt-
try. We refries from further comment on this
matter in refereece to miniaterial policy, becauee
that policy has not yet Lice's positively declared,
and it is rumoured thi.t proposals in this dire
Lou, if not to the full extet, will be made bf
Ministers; but on the general subject we may
remark that the system of commission by pm.-
eleve is wrong in theory and practice, bad in it.:
effects on the army, and hurtful to the public
sense of justice. There are great difficulties in
the way of abolishing the entire system at one
fell swoon, but if any reform can be effected it
will be a benefit to the nation at large.