The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-14 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1871

THE eirmy Estimates for 1871-2 compare with
those -of the previous year in the proportion of
£15,851,700 to £12,965,000, an increase of nearly
three millions. The details do not afford any clue to
the nature of the Government reorganisation

scheme, and, therefore, we must wait
for Mr. CARDwELL's explanation before
determining whether this heavy augmentation is
to be permanent, or merely incidental to a period of
change. Twenty thousand additional men havebeen
recruited during the autumn, and for these there is,
of course, an addition to the pay item. Very nearly
a milli on is added on account of the
manufacturing department. Fresh ammunition
of expensive kinds is required, the field
artillery is to be greatly strengthened, &c. The
Militia are down for an increased item of pay ; a
smaller addition is made to the Volunteer grant,

£lOO,OOO will be devoted to the purchase of horses,
besides minor charges of additional amount. Thus,
in one way or another the reductions so laboriously
effected during the last few years are lost, and
the total expenditure for the military forces is to be
higher than ever. If this advance represents only the
special outlay which a great scheme of reorganisation
must almost inevitably involve, no exception can be
taken to the formidable total. The British public will
cheerfully make a sacrifice in order to
bring about such a change as will, in the
future, enable it to get something like value
for its money. Hitherto the strength of our army
has in no way corresponded to the countless millions
laid out upon it. And if the estimates are to be per-
manently increased, if additional military power is to
be gained at additional cost, the grievavce remains
just wheie it was. The evil of our military
administration is waste. The problem to be
solved is the employment of the money
wasted in such a way as will ensure a better article
for the same price. The exposition the nation is
looking forward to with such anxiety will prove
whether the Government are prepared to shew as
much boldness and originality in treating this ques-
tion as they displayed when they took in hand the
Irish Land and the Irish Church difficulties. The
necessity is equally great. The "upas tree " of
Protestant ascendancy was injurious to the national
interests, and so is the jungle of waste and corruption
in the management of the army.
The Army Reorganisation Bill will infallibly fail
unless it makes a radical reform in the system of
administration—and we might add in some of the
great officials who are charged with the control of
affairs. The necessity of this' change is obvious
enough. The existing arrangements are such that
with an expenditure varying from thirteen to
fifteen millions the force immediately available is not
much stronger than a single German Army Corps.
Even an additional three millions yearly to the
estimates would, without an administrative reform,
procure only an additional halt corps or so. Reform
the, management, and so much money now thrown
away is saved. Reduce the standing army and increase
the reserve, and the present cost of one soldier will
maintain three or four. It is not a large army, but
a large standing army, that involves an exorbitant
expense in England. The only means by which a
very strong military force is possible in this country is
by allowing the greater part of it to follow industrial