The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-13 00:00:00

THE ORGANISATION OP THE INDIAN

ARMY.

On the 15th day of July, 1858, her Majesty was
pleased to nominate a commission to inquire into
organisation of the Indian army, and the report of
the Commission, dated the 7th of March, yesterday
appeared in the formidable shape of a large blue
book, of some 260 pages of print, large and small.
The report itself, however, occupies but 15 pages,
and the following is its substance regards the
first point of the inquiry—" the terms on which the
army of the East India Company is to be transferred
to the Crown"—it is stated that no change can be
made which would in any way disturb the system
of promotion by seniority as affecting officers now
in the service, but that the Act 21 and 22 Viet., c.
106, gives the Queen full pow er to frame new regu-
lations for future officers. The second question—the
permanent force necessary to be maintained in India
after the restoration of tranquillity—hardly appears
to admit a definite reply in a numerical form. The
Commissioners think that the amount of the Euro-
pean force ought to be about 80,000, of which

50,000 men would be required for Bengal, 15,000
for Madras, and 15,000 for Bombay. As regards
the ratio of the European to the native force, they
believe that the latter should not, at present, bear
a greater proportion to the European, in cavalry
and infantry, than two to one for Bengal, and three
to one for the other two presidencies. The evidence
before the:Commissioners is unanimous to the effect
that the artillery should be mainly an European
force, and they themselves concur in this opinion.
In the military police corps formed, or in course of
formation, throughout India the Commissioners see

" the elements of future danger," and they recom-
mend that no stricter military training be given to
them than may be absolutely necessary.
How far the European portion of the army should
be composed of troops of the line, taking India
as part of the tour of service, and how far of
troops raised for service in India exclusively, is a
question about which authorities differ ; the
opinion both of the Commissioners and the wit-
nesses being equally divided. The opinions of the
majority and minority of the Commission on the
subject are given at length. Should it be ulti-
mately decided, " contrary to the strong and
sincere conviction of the majority of the Commis-
sioners, that, with a view of leavin,, undisturbed
present vested interests, a local European force
is to be maintained for service in India," it
is recommended that the amount of such force
should be limited to that now authorised by
Parliament to be raised and maintained out of
the revenue of India. It is considered most
necessary, in fine, to retain a proportion of line
regiments in India, exempli gratia. To diminish
the relative ratio of line to local corps would, it is
opined by the majority, be a fatal error. These
views of the majority have the support of Lord
Elphinstone, Sir G. Clerk, Sir C. Trevelyan, Sir A.
Wilson, , Sir E. Lugard, Major-General Pratt, Sir
W. and Sir S. Cotton, Sir A. Tulloch, and others.
The minority takes a very different view of the
army,question,
E European
ni faanvdo unr
native,
vae
awse refsusle localotial Indian
theh
e
British rule in India. They regard the anomaly
of a dual army under one Sovereign as necessarily
incidental to the very anomalous connexion of
England with her Indian empire, and they con- ,
Bider that recent events have proved the benefit of
having distinct armies for the three presidencies.
The views of the minority have the support of
Viscount Canning, the Earl of Ellenborough, the
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Madras, Sir
J. Lawrence, and the Punjaub Commissioners, and
other eminent and able men.

Supposing the European force in India to be
partly of the line and partly local, it is suggested
that the tour of service in India (for th line)
should not exceed 12 years. The establishment of
a convalescent station at the Cape of Good R
deemed worthy of consideration. The Comopmeisis-
sioners think that an amalgamation of the local
forces with the lino regiments, al though difficult,
might be an advantageous arrangement, if it could
be effected without prejudice to existing rights.
Any admixture of European and native forces regi-
mentally is considered
utdetrimentalit is
to the efficiency
b
and discipline of both ;
nttha agte
otuhse.
admixture by brigade would be most
The local force of Europeans might (it is suggested) b
be kept up partly
volunteers from line regi-
ments returning to England, and by recruiting in
England as for lineregiments. The Commissioners
object to the levy
of men of any colonial regiments com-
posedof colour, either for temporary or
permanent service. The ative cavalry force should
be •
irregular, and to each cavalry regiment would
be attached one commandant, one adjutant, and
one European officer per squadron, with a surgeon.
The regular cavalry of Bombay and Madras, for the
present, to remain intact. The native infantry
would be mainly regular, and the regular should
decidedly preponderate over the irregular. Cadets
ought, it is said, to be drilled and thoroughly
instructed in their military duties in England
before proceeding to India.
The Commissioners, having disposed of the ques-
tions specially referred for their inquiry, beg to
submit the following recommendations on certain
important points, which in the course of examina-
tion of evidence have come under their notice :-
1. That the native army should be composed of different
nationalities and castes, and, as a general rule, mixed pro-
miscuously through each regiment.
2. That all men of the regular native army in her Ma-
jesty's Eastern possessions should be enlisted for general
service.
3. That a modification should be made in the uniform of
the native troops, assimilating it more to the dress of the
country, and making it more suitable to the climate.
4. That Europeans should, as fat as possible, be employed
in the scientific branches of the service, but that corps of
pioneers be formed, for the purpose of relieving the Euro.
pean sappers from those duties whieh entail exposure to the
climate.
5. That the articles of war which govern the native arm,
be revised, and that ft ° the power of commanding core be
increased.
6, That the promo*, of native consinioolowid and