The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-05-21 00:00:00

WAR OFFICE SCANDALS.

ihe Royal Commission appointed last year to in-
quire into complaints of the very diversified kind
which had been made in regard to the administra-
'Aor. of military services has (says the Daily Yews)
sigr-d its report, after making whet has been felt to
be a full and exhaustive inquiry. The public will
have to wait a while longer for the precise terms in
which Sir Fitzjames Stephen and his colleagues give
their verdict upon the issues submitted to their adju-
dication. It will be remembered that charges of the
gravest kind were made impugning the honour and
the integrity of those charged with the adminis-
tration of the various services of the War Depart-
ment. Colonel Hope and Captain Armit, for in-
stance, with much circumstantiality of detail im-
peached the Department in general, and certain
implied persons in particular. It was felt that
their accusations were too vague to be made the
groundwork of a specific investigation. But
charges, however unsubstantial, reflecting, as
did those in question, upon officers and others
entrusted with responsible duties could not but
be treated in the most minute and circumstantial
spirit. We (Daily News) have reason to believe that
the accu-ations impugning the integrity of the depart-
mental officials have completely broken down, have
indeed recoiled in the most signal manner upon the
accusers. But the members of the Royal Commis-
sbn are understood to have placed a very liberal
interpretation upon the precise letter of their instruc-
tions. They have extended their inquiries into
methods of administration. The evidence taken by
them is of a character at once minute and authori-
tative. Their report, extended over a wide range,
deals courageously with matters of infinite import-
ance, and suggests changes of policy and administra-
tion of considerable moment. Whatever may be the
ultimate outcome, it will at least be felt that Mr.
Justice Stephen's Commission has rendered a timely
service in giving an authoritative and judicial verdict
upon the matters directly and inferentially submitted
no its arbitrament. In no less degree will it have
made the country its debtor by gathering in precise
and trustworthy terms the facts upon which Parlia-
ment and ,ho country will in due time have to take
action of the most serious and vital import.

yoTuit
kindlyA r, t o
allow a
mgentlemanetio g nl a
nS
et
e. Jaatmyeoso' sr. park
paper:
fWorilal
moment, sir? I am anxious to see the weather pre-
dictions.—Gentleman, handing him the paper: Cer-
tainly. Are you interested in the weather ?—Tramp:
yes, sir. I live principally on wind, and I want to
find out what I'm to have for dinner to-day.
A BRAVE little boy found a broken sleeper on the
railway line, and perceiving the
pperil in which the
train would be paced if ;t should ,come dashing past
without warn;ng, sat out on the railings for five long
hours in the bitter winter cold, in order that he might
carry the first news of the accident to his father,
who is editor of a paper published in the neighbour-
ing town.
A LIVELY Irishman, asking for letters at a foreign
post office, was required to show his passport- or card.
Ile had neither; but with ingenious readiness, turned
down his coat and e4hibite'l his name in tuarking-ink
on his shirt collar. The official smiled and delivered
the letters.