The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-16
ENGLAND WEAKF0R WAR
THE VOLUNTEER UNFIT FOR ACT
I'VE SERVICE.

Qy inc StALe OF AudlrS-SallS0urY
Grip on the Kheiive-Fears of the
Irish Protsstants.
Copyright. 1892. bu the N. Y Associated Press)
LONDON, April l5.-The revelations made
in the evidence on the state OF the British
army given before the committee OF inquiry
presided over by Lord Vantage have been
the sensation of the week. The recommen-
dations which the committee previously
published were a series of dry and formal
propositions indicating nothing Of the extra
ordinary statements of leading military
Chiefs These were OF suoh a nature as
will lead to most active agitation
in parliament as soon as the recess is
over. A group Of military members of the
House of Commons has already seen War
Secretary Stanhope privately aud extortsd
from him a promise that the government
should not obstruot full discussion and
sequent reforms. The generals examined
concurred in the opinion that there vas
hardly a single infantry battalion at home
effective. Adjt. Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood
declared that 80 per cent. Of the mon en-
camped at Aldershot were unfit for
camp duties; that they could not
even do days service on
account of their youth and lack Of stamina.
and that the only practice he dared to put
such men to was two hours carrying the
pack or sentry duty. The Duke of
Cambridge, commander n-ohief, indorsed
the startling statement, adding that If
called upon TO mobilize two army corps on
short notice the authorities could not do 80,
and he did not think it possible to mobilize
one corps composed of twenty-five
battalions Of infantry.
ONLY BETTER THAN NOTHING.
Lord Wolseley, In response to question
whether the battalions as they now stand,
would be fit for home defense. replied. "If
we we're invaded tomorrow they would be
better than nothing" He held that the
volunteer force was the most important
factor in defense.
The Duke Of Connaught said: "I am per-
fectly certain that IL the battalions under
my command at Portsmouth were ordered
to service tomorrow one-half Of them would
mob be allowed to go on account OF unfit
ness" The main cause Of the weakness of
the home battalions is stated to be depletion
Of their best men for foreign and colonial
service.
Lord Wolselsy likened the home forces to
a squeezed lemon.
The Duke oJConnaught held that grown
men would not join the service owing to
the fact that wearers OF the queens uniform
are socially ostrecised, and also because the
soldiers are wautonly burdened with ex-
cessiye sentry duty. lie told how, having
noticed numerous guards employed at
Windsor castle on sentry duty he had In
duced the queen to ask the authorities TO
reduce their number and otherwise to re-
lieve the men, but the authorities would not
assent until strong pressure was brought TO
bear.
CONTEMPT FOR THE UNIFORM.
The Duke of Connaught related a number
of instances showing the contempt in which
the soldiers uniform is held. In one case
drummers refused to drink at the steamer
bar beside sergeant, and in other cases
inns closed their rooms to guards. In re-
gard to the methods of reform there was a
concensus Of opinion that a substautia in
crease of the strength Of the home battalions
would come from more liberal pay and
better pensions. Views differed on the
period of service, but agreed on the need of
periodic training for the reserve men, now
proved with the volunteers to be the sole
reliance In the event Of war.
SALISBURY AND THE KHEDIvE.
Following his diplomatic success in regard
to the frman Of investiture OF the khedive,
Lord Salisbury has clinched his hold on the
khedIve by inciting him to an open quarrel
with the sultan. In response TO the sultan's
invitation to Constantinople the khedive
inslmated that the recall Of Moukh-
tar Pasha, the portes delegate
at Cairo, was first desirable.
Moukhtar Pasha made the mistake
Of demanding a change in the Egyptian
ministry. The English minister Sir Evelyn
Barring, thereupon got the khedive TO wire
to the sultan that the pasha had ar
rogantly interfered in Egyptian affairs
and ought to be withdrawn. As further
proof of his acceptance OF English domi-
nance, the khedive will send his holy
brother, Mehemet Ali, now at school in
Vienna, to finish his education in England.
GLADsToNE's PROGRAMME.
Communications passing between Mr..
Gladstone and the committee OF his con-
stituents in Midlothian have elicited from
MIR. Gladstone that he considers the News
castle programme definite platform for
the coming elections. II dissolution be pre-
cipitated he will be prepared Immediately
to enter the field and address a series of
meetings. If dissolution be deferred he still
promises q short stumpiDg tour The tenor
Of the communications indicates that he
does not intend TO Issue a special manifesto,
but merely the usual address to the electors
on the eve Of the contest.
FEARS OF IRISH PROTEsTANTs.
A memorial from the Irish Baptists and
other dissenters against homo rule on re-
igiou5 grounds was recently sent to Mr..
Gladstone and elected from him reply in
which he contended that the alarm lest the
Dublin legislature might oppress Protestants
ought not to be entertained as any act
passed by the imperial parliament would
safeguard religious and civil freedom.
Mr.. Chamberlain seizes the chance to
comment upon the same memorial by writ
ing letter IN which he upbraids the dis
senters for supporting Mr.. Gladstone. He
says the majority are led away by their
confidence in the liberal leader,
but time will justify the distrust
with which the ablest leaders OF non-oon-
formity regarded his policy.
The meeting OF the unionist convention in
Belfast will be the occasion Of a general
holiday in Ulster. Ten thousand delegates
will be present and there will be 100000
persons in the procession. The usual
Orange turnout will thus be swollen by
members from every county lodge.
DILLON NOT TO RETIRE.
The cauard to the effect that John Dillon
is about TO retire from political life because
OF quarrel with Mr.. Healy 10 ridiculed by
members of the Irish party. The dispute
between Mr.. Dillon and the board of the
party's organ is tending toward a settle
inent The Irish parliamentary committee
urges Msssrs. Dillon, O'Brien and Sexton to
serve on the BOARD, and majority OF the
board desire to meet the wishes Of the COM
mittee.
THE COTTON LOCKOUT.
There is a prospect that the cotton lock-