New-York tribune., 1891-04-22
THE GRENADIERS MUTINOUS.
REFUSAL OF THE THIRD BATTALION. QUAR-
TERED IN LONDON. TO TURN OUT
FOR PARADE.
THE MEN ALLEGE EXCESSIVE DRILLING AND
OTHER GRIEVANCES TROUBLE WITH AN
OTHER BODY OF THE GUARDs-THE
EXILING OF THE SECOND BAT.
TALON TO BERMUDA

RECALLED.
London, April 21.-FOr several years there has been
feeling Of growing discomfort, real imaginary in
some portions Of the British army About year ago
the cd Battalion OF the Grenadier Guards, quar-
tered at Wellington Barracks near buckingham Palace,
London practically broke ont into open mutny, and
were exilcd to Bermuda for so doing. mutinous
demonstration, In almost every particular similac 10
that which caused the I'd Battalion to be sent TO
Bermuda in disgrace, made this morning by the
Sd Battalion Of the same troops, the Grenadier
Guards, the crack infantry guardsmcn of England.
The details Of this latest military disturbance
follows
The Sd Battalion Of the Grenadler Guards, who
at present quartered at Chelsea Barracks in this
city, were ordered to parade in full marching order at
s O'Clock this morning, although they had to mount
guard at the various palaces and at the Government
Offices to-day. The men, who have been in a sullen
frame of mind for some time, refused to obey this
order The officers of the battalion thereupon held
a hurried consultation, and the leading non-com-
missioned officers communicated with. The latter
In pursuance Of the officers orders, attempted TO
persuade the mutneers TO turn out and parade, and
not to bring more disgrace upon the distinguished
corps to which they belonged. After a long period
OF waiting four companies Of the battalion struggled
slowly, and with every mark of discomfort out upon
the parade ground of Chelsea Barracks. The remain
ing companies however refused to leave the barracks
After further consultation among the officers and after
the officials OF the War Ofice had been informed Of
the occurrence, the oldest members Of the more dis
contented portion of the battalion the having the
longest terms of service, were placed under arrest
and investigation into the Of the mutlny
started in order that preliminary report upon the
subject may be placed before the Duke Of Cambridge
the Commander-inChief Of the forces.
The discomfort has been growing for long time
The mutneers, in explanation of their conduct, assert
that the order issued to them to parade in full march
fpO nrdop tod ctar Tor oil
manding officer to take on day when the battalion
called upon also TO mount guard at the palaces
etc. The men also declare that they have
been long subjected to series Of excessive and
annoying drills for which there reason.
They assert that these drills not ordered with the
view OF perfecting the battalion in military
or in the manual of arms, but solely for the con-
venience Of their officers who enabled to go to the
country, travel the Continent and have similar
relaxatlons, while the prvaes and non-commissioned
officers remain in London subject TO excessive, tedious
drills, under the supervision of the few less lucky OF
poorer officers. In addition the Grenaders say that
owing to the absence OF their I'd Battalion in Ber
muda all the recruits Of the Grenader Guards sent
to the 1st and I'd Battallons thus making necessary
continued extra drills and consequent hard work for
large numbers of welltrained, experienced soldiers.
Ever since the Cd Battalion Of the Grenadier Guards
exiled to Bermuda, and especially since the 70
ports of the good conduct of the Guards in their place
been almost entirely on the side Of the Guards. II
was even reported that the Queen intended to inter
vene behalf Of the men under punishment and 1t has
been repeatedly asserted in the newspapers that 1t
was expected that the offences Of the I'd Battalion
would be forgiven, and that they would DO recalled
from Bermuda, Those who witnessed the departure
Of the ID battalion for Bermuda, those VINO read
the newspaper accounts of the affair and the comments
thereon the next morning have doubt that the SOL
dies Judged TO have been punished for protesting
illegally Ii is true against harsh abuses to which they
had submitted for years in silence.
1t is now hoped that this renewal Of military dis
content following closely upon the muny last Sunday
Portsmouth, Of artilerymen, who took this step TO
call attention to their grievances will cause an official
investigation into the treatment of British soldiers in
all corps OF the army. The artilerymen mentioned
also complained OF excessive drills and other onerous
duties. These cases, IL may be added, are only two
out of number of similar affairs which have occurred
during the last year or So. ,,.-
Guards are: Lieutenant Colonel, Laurence j. OH
phant majors and leuenant-cOlonels, Horace Ricardo,
Charles r; RowI and vilers at9v 3o' major ETiS The
colonel of the Grenadier Guards Is the DUKE Oh Ch-
bridge. -, -, . -. . oso.,s
display of bad feeling to-day upon the part OF the
detachment of the Guards quartered at ST. Georges
Barracks at the back of Trafalgar square IN orange
tbs nioce also belong 10 the Grenaders This morning
as uslIa they were ordered to parade and after some
DELAY did turn out but when they appeared on the
discontented state Of mind. Their officers who had
heen hastily Informed of the occurrence at Chelsea
Barracks soon dismissed the ST Georges "a bar,tcAS ,
previously told off for guard duty. dnree Of QL tne
rardsmcn al this barracks however perslstenty re-
sSioned officers put forth Finally the three
mntineers were placed under arrest