The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-04-05
The British Army.

Great Britain. is palpably, almos
without disguise, preparing for con
test with Russia, and expects it to oc
cur before great while. The Londou
papers no longer conceal from thei
readers the fact that Russia's attitul
is distinctly hostile, and that the pur
chase of suez Canal shares, the initia
step towards the British, occupation
of Egypt, is England's retort to Russi
for having trampled under foot tn
treaty of 1856. The gist of that treat,
was the notification of Russian in
trigne in the municipalities, by the ere
alton of Roumania and placing it M
der the piotectorate of the five powers
That protectorate is now admitted t,
he a dead letter; Russia has required
and obtained the re-opening of tn,
Black Sea to her navy, and her in
trigues in Herzegovina, Serbia ant
Montenegro have plunged the Port,
into another war, far more disastrou,
than the Cretan revolt, while at tn,
same time the Russian frontier in Tur
kestan is pushed 500 miles nearer In
dia, the Independence of Yacoot
Khushbegi, of Karkand, and of Kash
gar, are assailed, and Russian seui-of
fetal newspapers already iDsinuate
that the modus vivendi based upon til.
recognition of the Ameer of Afghanis.
ton as the ruler of the countoies to the
north of the Hindoo Koosh (Balkh
Merv, etc., was only oral, conditional
and temporary.
Under such circumstances, the reor.
yanization Of the British army ha,
been seriously undertaken. 1t il
claimed that the problem of how to DE-
this effectively-it is still q problem
is materially simplifed by two facts;
first, that the Indian army is quite saf.
ficient for the present defense of India;
and second, that the defense of Great
Britain must depend more upon the
fleet than the domestic army. The
changes to be made in the system
therefore used not go any further than
to provide q reserve from which to re-
cruit the Indian army up to any de,
sired strength, and further reserve
that might, in case of the fleets defeat
suffice to conduct campaign on Eng
lish soil of not more than two months,
against foreign invader.
But, right alongside of these won.
droutly simplifed processes, the press
is engaged in an active discussion OF
the expediency of the CONSUMPTION, and
it is significant fact that all the old
stock arguments against CONSUMPTION
as favoring tyranny by creating a
standing army adequate to keep the
people under, have been entirely aban-
doned. Nothing is urged against con
scription except that it is not presently
necessary; that it is wasteful indus
trial and socially, and that it should
be kept in reserve against the hour of
imminent peril. The plan which will
probably he adopted contemplatcs re-
cruiiing the regular army up to a fixed
strength, and rcscrving ore third of
thus from foreign service, to remain in
Convenient Gppnts at home and form
cadrc fora domestic army of 3O0,O00
or 100000 men, organized on paper,
and to be made MP i'll any case of emcr-
gency by drafts from the volunteers
and the militia. These latter are
meantime to he drilled as well as pos
sible and prac.ised now and then in
extensive field evolutions with the re-
gulars. 70 increase the efficiency aud
recruit the strength OF the regular army
seems just now to be the most difficult
matter. The rural population does not
enlist, and the tramps and town-refuse
that are willing to take Her Majesty's
shilling are very bad lot. If con-
scription should not he resOrted to, the
alternative must be increased pay and
large bounties. England, it is argued,
is rich enough to buy all the soldiers
she needs, aud ought not to expect to
get good article without coming down
with a fair price. If our experience is
worth anything, the sy stem of volunta-
ry enlistment will prove very costly,
and then will fail unless built upon
some foundation of compulsory service
to incite volunteers to come forward
and get the bounty. The Russian ar
army numbers, it is said, 100000
men, and, in the Crimea, while Russia
had there at one time 10000 soldiers
the English force never exceeded 3d.
600 electives.
If Russia could manage to throw
200, 600 men upon the Indian frontier
and keep them sufficiently recruited
during two or three campaigns, only a
great victory north of the Ganges
would save Great Britain from choosing
to leave the home defenses entirely to
the fleet or to abandon her proud
Indian Empire. The duty of cu1tivat-
ing pleasant relations with Ireland
would reem to be Just now most imper-