The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-05 00:00:00

The SECRETARY for WAR —With respect to the
number in depots, the number belonging to regiments in
India on the Ist Feb. last was 16,427, and the whole of the
expense of their maintenance was borne by the revenues of
India from the day on which they were raised. He had
been asked by the hon. and gallant general the member for
Westminster why k was proposed to and 12 batteries of
artillery to India, but this step had been resolved upon in
consequence of the recommendation of the committee that
no more native artillery should be maintained. It was to
do away with native batteries that it was resolved to send
out so large a force of artillery to India. With regard to
desertions, the total number of men who had been actually
lost to the service from Jan. 1, 1858, to Dec. 31, was 9,607 ;
of these 1,976 were restored to the service, leaving the num-
ber of men actually lost by desertion, 7,651, or about equal
to the number who had volunteered from the militia into
the line.
Sir DE LACY EVANS expressed a hope that the Go-
vernment would not send out the battalion of the regiment
of which he was colonel, for that battalion was 600 men
under its establishment. The military force for last year
was 92,000. This year it was 107,000, and this, too, in time
of peace.
General PEEL observed that the most urgent demand
had been made by the Indian Government for troops, which
had been sent not only from this country, but from the
Cape and elsewhere, 'and their places must be supplied.
He begged the house to recollect how little the militia—a
most efficient body of men—had cost the country during
the last- year.
Mr. S. HERBERT was not quite sure the statement
on the army estimates made by his hon. and gallant friend
General Peel was so unfavourable as it at first sight ap-
peared, for, as to desertions, an erroneous calculation might
be easily made, by counting the different desertions of the
same man as different men. One man, it was said, had de-
serted, and received bounties no less than 47 times.
(Laughter.) The altered and improved • condition of the
soldier had not yet been impressed on the minds of the work-
ing classes, who were slow to take in those changes. Neither
were they yet habituated to the alternative between short
service and service for life. He was glad to hear the views
of his hon. and gallant friend as to the sanitary condition of
the army. Prevention was far better than cure, and this
applied perhaps beyond any other body of men to the army.
As to the Armstrong gun, he was of opinion that the Go-
vernment deserved the greatest credit for the manner in
which they adopted this admirable and really unequalled
invention. Some thought it better to wait until it would
be seen if there wero'not further improvements, but nations
could not afford to wait. They must got the best arms
which the present time could afford. It was said the late
Emperor Nicholas was of opinion that scientific skill would
invent something which would supersede railroads, but in
waiting for that something he lost Sebastopol. As to the
Armstrong gun, he must say he heard strong doubts ex-
pressed whether it was as well fitted for naval as for mili-
tary warfare. The projectile which was sent with the
greatest velocity did least injury to a ship. It was said
that the Armstrong gun would discharge but a small-sized
projectile, but that it would 'drive it right through a ship,
making only a small hole which almost plugged itself,
whereas. the cannon with slower velocity sent a ball which
often tore two port-holes into one. This ought to be well
considered. (Hear, hear.) As to the amount of force, no
doubt the estimates were very large, but they were not quite
so large in amount of money as they seemed, for £450,000
were for guns belonging to the navy, and £700,000 were for
stores, which properly speaking ought not to appear in these
estimates. Ho did not think that the police force of Ireland
could bo counted an available defensive force, because they
could not with safety be withdrawn from their position. The
army estimates this year were as large as the army, ordnance,
and navy edtimates of 1835, yet he must say ho did not think
they could be safely reduced. We had now got into a new
cycle. The prestige of 1815 was broken in 1854. Since
then Europe had resounded with the din of arms. There
were enormous military preparations all over Europe, and
a strong martial feeling was prevalent all over the Conti-
nent, war or peace being considered a mere matter of expe-
' dieney, and at the discretion of the rulers. Tho case was
different in England, which would only consent to make
war when immense interests and the national honour were
concerned. But the warlike feeling of other nations warned
us to be prepared for emergencies. He would therefore
support the estimates.
Sir J. TRELAWNY complained of the uncertainty
which the issue of warrants had caused in the army. The
number of officers passed over, as the right hon. and gal-
lant general very well kneiv, was great, and they felt
deeply the injustice which was inflicted upon them. A
great grievance he had to eomplain of was that promotion
warrants were read in different ways, the Horse Guards
putting upon them an interpretation very different from
that which was usually understood. He did not think
that there wag any necessity for more than one inspector-
general of infantry, and with regard to fortifications three
things alone were necessary, men, - money, and mud.
(Laughter.)
Colonel NORTH defended the officers of the recruiting
department from attacks which had been made upon them,
believing that it was a most efficient corps.
Sir DE LACY EVAig S bore his testimony to the gallant
and meritorious conduct of recruiting officers.
Colonel BOLDERO was happy to hear of the improve-
ments that had taken place in the medical and commissa-
riat departments of the army. (Hear hear.)
Mr. DRUMMOND Considered that the pensions at pre-
sent granted were not sufficient.
Mr. PIGOTT took the same view.
Captain VIVIAN thought that some bettermeans should
be taken for the improvement of the system of recruiting,
which as at presenf practised was'a disgrace to our military
character.
General CODIVINOTON thought it was a disgrace to
kidnap men into a service when they ought to be an honour
to the service. The plan ought to be applied to old novels
instead of being put into actual service. In every other de-
partment men were gii,en fair wages and a bounty, but in the
army the country did not give fair wages, and a:fair article
was not thet-afore obtained. (Hear, hear.) There could be
no doubt that the best recruits were obtained from the
agricultural diatriets, the men being, in point of stamina,
health, and moral character, the best that could be obtained. I

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