The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-31 00:00:00

Spirit of the Public Journals.

(Prom the Times of this day.)

For the campaign which is soon to commence
the British have about 30,00 bayonets in the
Crimea. The addition of Cavalry, Artillery, and
non-combatant bodies make up at least another
20,000 Englishmen. This is a respectable army,
perhaps larger than any which England has hitherto
sent forth. But the duties of the present age are
not to be measured by the achievements of thepast.
With the increased wealth and population of em-
pires war must be waged on a larger scale. The
nation to which we are opposed, though poor, and
dwelling in a vast territory, with little means of
communication, is yet successful in despatching to
every frontier large bodies of men, generally
trained soldiers, and always commanded with skill
and ressrlution. Our allies have exerted themselves
to raise their army to a high standard in numbers
and efficiency, and although we may not desire to
rival them, the British force should be proportion-
ately increased, and we should not seem, even to
the hasty observer, to have merely despatched to
the East a contingent to act with the French ar-
mies. The German regiments have arrived in the
Bosphorus, and will be ready for service when
operations are resumed. The raising of this body
of men was the object of an early session last year,
and the measure caused a feeling akin to shame
throughout the country. It is useless to revert fur-
ther to the past ; but we should not lose sight of
the fact that it must be by British soldiers chiefly
that the British name and power are to be sup-
ported. It is equally true that there exist within
tbese islands the materials of a force much
larger than that which has been collected from
abroad. While our army requires reinforcements
in the Criinea, there is at home a superabundant
force. The Militia, though still below its corn li
-
plement, is in such strength that all the bar-
racks are more than full, and regiments are put
in billets or sent to Ireland, merely to get rid of
them. These men are now for the most part sol-
diers ; they have had as much training as thousands
who are sent to the Crimea, and are not inferior in
age and strength. Each costs as much as a regular
soldier, yet, while we are looking for men over two
continents, the great resources of our own country
are unwisely neglected. It is perhaps an evil that,
since the enlistment for the Militia and the Line
are both voluntary, the recruiting sergeant for the
Militia is a rival rather than an assistance to his
comrade of the Line ; but, as the ballot can only
be resorted to in times of urgeht peril, the Govern-
ment must make the best of th present system.
Evidently the great object is to induce Militiamen
to enter the Line. Every officer who can bring
over a number of these useful troops should receive
a fitting reward. At present an ensign's commis-
sion is given for 70 men ; but 70 men make up a
company, and if a whole company volunteer there
seems no reason why all its officers should not ob-
tain equivalent rank in the Line. It is not, indeed,
probable that all, or indeed a majority, of the
officers would accept foreign service, and their place
might well be supplied from the regular army ;
but, when a regiment or a part of a regiment offers
to serve, it seems but reasonable that those officers
who desire to remain should retain the rank they
previously held. At this season, which is the best
for recruiting, every means should be used to in-
crease the disposable army ; and, if there be obsta-
cles to the volunteering of the Militia, they should
be removed at once. Considering the influence
which a good officer soon gains over his men, it
would be wise to give every encouragement to those
whose persuasion may bring a number of recruits
to the regular service ; and if any professional pre-
judice or usage stand in the way, it should be re-
moved, at least for the present juncture.
It is said that a principal cause of unwillingness
to enlist is the length of service. Not the prospect
of glory, of increased pay, or even the immeslitate
attraction of a bounty, can induce men to Lind
themselves to 10 years of obedience and 'con-
straint. Such a term forms a large portion of
human life, and leaves the youth too fixed in ha-
bits to seek another occupation, even if he be not
too old to learn. Doubtless the country boys -who
are solicited by recruiting sergeants do not make
these reflections, but the result of them pert odes
the feeling of the classes from which soldiers; are
drawn, and makes each young man believe th at in
volunteering for the Line he severs himself for
ever from old friends, places, and occupations. It
can hardly be thought that in this country 'there
exists less of the adventurous spirit than marks
continental nations, or that the lower classes+ differ
so entirely from the educated and wealthy. With
proper inducements it is probable that recruiting
for the Line would be highly prosperous, and fur-
nish men in numbers willing to share the 'excite-
ment of campaigning for a few years. If recruits
could enlist for five years, or during the continu-
ance of the war, they might be tempted to serve,
where now they shrink from embracing for life the
calling of a soldier.
The prospects of the British army are now 'bright
and hopeful. Although undoubtedly composed of
younger soldiers than those who fought the first
battles of the war, yet the gain in improved orga-
nisation, in younger, more skilful, and, abov e all,
more earnest commanders, will counterbalance any
physical defects. The men now encamped along
the coasts, from Sebastopol to Smyrna, aro well
supplied, well tended, and, it is to be hoped, well
employed and. disciplined. Even raw lads of 18
who could not fire a rifle in September may b e fair
soldiers when they march in the spring. Yet it
must be remembered at what cost of time, labour,
and money the present efficiency has been bought.
It is only by chance that a season of rest enables
the recruits to be instructed at the seat of war in
elementary duties. As a general rule, the man
must be made into a soldier before he leaves these
shores, or he is not only himself inefficient iii the
hour of danger, but confuses and hinders otleers.
The Government must not calculate on always hav-
ing a quiet camp abroad, and six months to drill
its men. As far as possible they should be fit to
fight on the day tFiey land. In the absence of a
conscription the lYiilitia is the best reserve for the
regular army. For the present, at least, its main
duty of guardistsg our coasts is happily not press-
ing, and if it I- )0 well used it may be made the
chief means of concluding gloriously a difficult
War.