The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-30
THE BRITISH ARMY OF TO-DAY.
Home and Foreign Force, Recruits, Food
and Clothing and Munitions of War,


and Clothing and Munitions of War.
Twenty years ago the new British army
system was inaugurated under Lord
Caldwell. The changes included the abo-
lition OF the purchase OF commissions,
the introduction OF short terms of en-
listment, the localzing OF the organza-
tons, the establishment OF the reserve,
the reorganzng of the infantry, and the
uniting OF the control of the regular and
auxiliary forces. These changes were
effected after stubborn opposition from
conservatism which dreaded any inter-
ference with the ancient order of things.
The recent Speech however, OF Mr..
Campbell Zimmerman In the House of
Commons on the army estimates, and on
the provision for 154 A2 men OF all ranks,
insists that the reforms then made have
been justified by experience.
In treating of what remains to be done
the Secretary of State for War proposes
chiefly to equalize the battalions, which
has not hitherto been properly done, and
In the cavalry to allow recruits TO be en-
listed not for particular regiments. but
for special branches Of the cavalry, such
as the Lancers, Hussars, or Dragons,
as the case may be. These men can then
be sent to any regiment In the branch
selected, and can also be changed from
one regiment TO another. which will be
Of advantage when troops have to be
sent out OF the Islands to foreign SER
vice.
Another point mentioned Is that very
recently the army corps system for for
eign service has been abandoned, and in
stead OF holding In readiness for imme-
date embarkation the First Corps and
line OF communication troops body has
been substituted which Is made up for
the probable demands of average small
war. II includes division of infantry.
a brigade Of cavalry, a battalion of
mounted infantry, three batteries Of field
and two Of horse artillery. and special
forces. such as bridging and telegraph
troops, the balloon section, and the bakery
column. The total force may be put nj
10000 men and $500 horses. This field
force has its stores ready at all times.
so that II can start as soon as ships can
take IT,
The recruits for the year under con-
sideration numbered Al $50. and General
Fielding prosecuted the recruiting with
much energy. Special enlistments. both
In cavalry and I'm infantry. we're first
checked and then dispensed with at the
end OF February. The height standard
of the Guards was raised to feet
inches. that OF artillery gunners TO 5
feet 6 ~ inches, that of artillery drivers
to feet inches. this last being a gain
OF an inch. Men have been encouraged
to pass from the army to the reserve
when sufficiently trained and OF good
character IL they have been able TO show
that their parents needed their assistance
at home. and that they had a prospect
Of employment when they got there. Mr..
Campbell-Bannerman said that he could
\ conceive nothing more unfortunate for
the army than that a man In that con-
dition should be held TO his bargain
when his interest and his duty TO his
own family strongly pull In the other
direction" This declaration may have
a certain interest for those who discuss
the value OF our recently adopted sys-
tenn of purchase by discharge, although.
OF course. the cases are not parallel.
our army having no home reserve.
Much attention. II appears. has recently
been paid In the British service to I'm
proving the food Of the soldiers. parti-
cularly as regards cooking. Mr.. Camp
bell Zimmerman said an inspection 'of
the stock-pots. and the other novel
culinary implements. and the nature Of
the food produced" would give an idea
Of the great steps forward In this direc-