The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-05 00:00:00

PRINCERM

TRIM ETSNING, TIAILKARIETIZE. Mesas. S. Calhaem,
F. 'down, and O. Lkuty ; Maim Augusta 1b...1-
,m and Katheriuo It.lgera, Mn. 11. Vining, and Mn. C. nun-
man.—Aatl TILE INVIsIBLE PRINCE.

L%CEUK.

Twrs Emma, THE T‘VtiloLi-;4. Mr. Widdleomb.—And
ROCHE Ef NOIR. Mown. redder, Emery, Cowper. Moreland,
ritspatrick. Iddton. Reynold-4, Lou ai, Andrew., Aud..rson..tc.
Um. L Hurray, and Misses Remade, Grattan, and C. Leclama.

ers.~n.

Tura EVLIITNO, NEIGNIKWIIs —After which will he produced
a Druid Lurksque, UtY YAW A LA.—And bOUIII AT THE
hi% AN.

HOLBORN.

TUN rPENITO, Mr. Retrnore; Moses
Foote awl Lennox.—Awl FLY I sCUD. Mears. Neville. M.
more. Make, Voltaire, &c. ; Mesdames F. Josephs, C. &wider;
Lassie route, Fithian, Lennox, Sayniowi,

BRITANNIA.

TRIG EVENINO, THE PRINVEAS OF THE PEARL ISLAND ;
OR. THE THREE KINGDOMS of PEARL. ooLO. AND
SILVER Mra lane and Miss Jacobs—First-We rautousitaista
.—And TILE SKELETON CREW.'

moy! Wirn AT LONDON DIMON.

Tens Dai-iioitliii,--li-447s::::::Afte7rri ;oat Th. ft.
To-Moziow—lloratag. I& 41m..—..Afternoon, U. 366.

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5.

FROM time to time hints are thrown out by the
official and semi-official organs of Government that
an increase of a million or two may be expected
in the Army and Navy Estimates. A policy so
congenial to the traditions of the Tory party will
need no excuse or recommendation in the eyes of
the rank and file of Lord DrEBY'I3 supporters. And
it is studiously suggested that the present circum-
stances of Europe, the experience of last year's
warfare, the uncertainty of the future, the
universal armaments, make it imperative that
England too should follow the general example of
military preparation, and must convince the most
economical that the time is one fur expenditure
rather than retrenchment. There is much that is
true in these pleas. But the truth is so mixed
with error or falsehood, and the system which they
are adduced to support is one so contrary to the
principles of the Liberal party, that it is necessary,
even while the scheme is in embryo, to demur to
it, and to point out the grounds on which it must
receive unqualified opposition, should it come to be
formally proposed.

The excuse for an increase in the army must
resolve itself into one of two alternatives—either
we are in danger of being attacked, or we
are likely to attack. We do not care at present
to discuss the probability of either chance. But
there is one element which is common to both
cases, and that is, that whether attacked or at-
tacking, there must be notice before war actually
involves us. There can be no descent upon us,
no invasion even of any territory of an ally, with-
out palpable preparation of months beforehand on
the part of the Power which takes the initiative.
History, ancient or modern, fails to show us any
instance in which a great army has been sent into
the field without long prior organization, as well
as concentration. Though troops may now be
rapidly moved by railway, there must he an in-
evitable and unconcealable prior activity in the
preparation of provisions, stores, clothing, ammu-
nition, in the purchase of horses, in the
placing of the medical, the transport, the commis-
sariat services on a war footing ; and, over and
above all, if any expedition by sea is meditated,
in the collection of transports and the fitting up of
boats. Forewarned, then, we must be, ere we can
be attacked. Equally forewarned must we be, in
the event of any European combination which
might threaten a State to which we felt bound to
render active aid—a forewarning in both cases,
by signs which the clear-sighted statesman can
read, for months before any hostile action can pos-
sibly be taken.
If, then, in these months during which the
imminence of war is apparent we can create an
army sufficient fur our needs, it is evident that
there can be no apology for creating one sooner.
Now it is the fact that if we have suitable organi-
zation an army can be created in that space of
time. If we make the service attractive instead
of repulsive, if we offer to the soldier good pay,
fair treatment, the certainty that he will be intel-
ligently led, and the prospect of rising if he de-
serves it, the military spirit which tills our volun-
teer ranks in time of peace would recruit our re-
gular troops the moment that war appeared
on the horizon. And we can offer all these
inducements if wo choose. By saving during
peace we shall be able to double or treble the
soldier's pay, if need be, when war breaks out.
By abolishing purchase, by promoting for desert
alone, by insisting un a gentlemanly tone in every
regiment, by securing a hearing to every grievance
among the men, we can make the service popular
and efficient whenever we choose. And when we
have got the men, to drill them into all the know-
ledge.that a private ever employs in service is but
the work of a fortnight of steady and intelligent
instruction. The occasion for prior preparation
extending over a lengthened period is, therefore,
not to be found in the ranks, but in the posts
above the ranks. For it is an axiom which none
who really and practically know the question can
doubt, that to make soldiers is hat an affair of
weeks, though to create inate'ricl is au affair of
months, and to form officers is an affair of years.