The Press.
London, England, 1858-08-07 00:00:00

general officers receiving unattached pay, making the
whole establishment 260, vice 231. The list so
augmented is to consist of 50 generals, 80 lieutenant-
generals, and 130 major generals. The fixed
establishment of general officers for the artillery and
engineers is to be 48, as now. The proposed increase
in the number of general officers is considered
equitable in itself, due to the interest of the army,
and necessary to the efficiency of the service. The
Commissioners fully concur with the view of the
Horse Guards Mein., as to the restrictions which
onght to be placed for the future on brevet promo.
tions—i.e., on the conversion of brevet into sub-
stantive rank ; but the principle proposed by the
Horse Guards is the original idea of the Commis-
sioners of 1854. " Conspicuously distinguished
conduct in the field " will be, among other things, a
sin,' qua non as a qualification for promotion from
brevet to substantive rank. It is recommended that
certain distinguished brevet majors (created since
1854), if reduced to half pay, shall be placed on half-
pay as majors, or, if on lull pay, he indemnified by
receiving an increase of 2s. sd. per day while con-
tinuing in command of their companies Captains
and brevet field-officers of this class, commanding
troops of cavalry, would be also allowed an additional
2s. sd. per day. Regimental majors of all arms who
have been male brevet-colonels under similar cir-
cumstances may be dealt with on similar principles,
and receive Is. per day. No lieutenant colonel should
be promoted by brevet to a colonelcy, except under
the conditions and safeguards laid down to meet the
cases ofpromotion to substantive rank. It is thought
in the case of engineer officers employed in civil
situations, that eight years of military service should
be required to qualify them for the rank of colonel.
The Commissioners do not appear to think that the
warrant of 1854 has been long enough in force to
allow them to judge of its operation upon the promo
tion in the Guards. They reject the suggestion to
shorten from six to five years the period of service
as a field-officer required to qualify for unattached
pay in the case of a major-general. They also refuse
to countenance the abolition of lieutenant.colonelcies

and the creation of a p.m permanent lank ot briga-
dier.general with increased hall-pay. To induce re
tirement on full pay it is suggested that colonels and
lieutenant colonels accepting such retirement shall
receive 205., vice 17s. per diem, as now ; and they
think that, as a general rule. no colonel should be
allowed to retain the command of a regiment after
sixty years ot age, unless reported to the Horse
Guards as efficient. Such are the salient points of
the Report of the Royal Commission.

THE NEW ACT FOR THE BETTER GOVERN-
MENT OF INDIA.
ON Thursday the act for the better government of
India, which received the Royal assent on Monday,
was printed. It contains seventy-five clauses, and is
to commence, except as provided in respect to the
Council, on the expiration of thirty days after the
date of the passing, which was on the 2nd of August
instant. The preamble recites that by the 16th and
17th Victotia, cap. 95, the territories in the possession
and under the government of the East India Com-
pany were continued under such government in trust
for her Majesty, and then proceeds to deal with the
whole subject of the future management of India.
The government of India is transferred to her
Majesty, and is to be governed in her Majesty's
name. The Secretary of State is to exercise the
powers now exercised by the Company or Board of
Control. After the commencement of the act any
four Principal and four Under Secretaries of State
may sit as members in the House of Commons.
The Council to lie established is to consist, of fifteen
members. Within fourteen days of the passing of the
act the Court of Directors are to elect from among
themselves or those who have been directors seven per-
sons for the Council, the major part those who have
served or resided in India. No member of the Council
is to sit in Parliament, and they are to be paid 200/.
a year out of the revenues of India. The secretaries
and officers on the home establishment of the Com-
pany are to form the establishment of the Secretary
of State in Council. The Secretary of State is to sub-
mit a scheme fur a permanent establishment. The
act prescribes the duties and procedure of the
Council. Under the direction of the Secretary of
State the Council is to conduct the business trans-
acted in the United Kingdom in relation to the
government of India and the correspondence with
India; but every order or communication sent to
India is to be signed by one of the Sect etaries of
State. The Secretary of State is to divide the
Council into committees, and to regulate the trails.
action of business. The Secretary of State is to be
President of the Council, and a member of the Coun-
cil vise-president. The appointments to be made are

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