The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-30

tion. In the matter Of the conduct OF
troops he was also able to make a salts
factory report:
find that the proportion Of courts
martial per thousand. which was 81 in
1851. had fallen to 81 in 1891. The proper
ton of minor punishments had fallen
from i,24e to Loss; the total number OF
trials for drunkenness on and on duty
from 1905 TO 2,078; the total number OF
trials for desertion and absence without
leave from 1880 TO 3402. These are the
returns for 1891. more recent figures not
being yet available. but believe the Inn
provement is still going on. Generally
speaking. as regards the military prisons.
one-third OF the accommodations is UNI
occupied. and. owing to the decrease In
the required occupation during the last
few years. II has been possible to reduce
the accommodation at Brixton Prison
from ts3 TO $50.
The health OF troops, both at home
and abroad. has also been good. There
will be some slight changes in the pay,
while as TO the clothing. a subject dis
cussed from time to time in our own
navy, instead Of having April the date
of issue, a soldier will receive his out
Mt on enlistment. and his annual reft
as nearly as possible just year later.
The clothing would cease TO be the
property OF the State In the sense that
a man will be allowed to dispose OF Il
when worn for the due time on his dis
charge to a comrade. He will also re-
ceive compensation for any garments
he may not require when the anniversary
OF issues recurs; but he will still remain
liable to provide any clothing which his
commanding officer may order TO be re-
newed between the regular dates of is
sue. Those are the main principles. and
] cannot but believe they will lead greatly
to the comfort and contentment OF the
soldier. although II throws certain
amount OF expense upon the public ex-
chequer.
The reserve Is In fIourishing condi-
ton, containing n 900 men. with a pros
pect next year OF 5000, which u the max
mum under the system. The militia Is
also doing we'll, it's total last year being
lsS,2ss against 10000 for the year pre-
ceding. The yeomanry has, as usual
not been satisfactory, but some .reor-
ganIzation is TO be made which will give
II one more chance for greater efficiency
and for making It less an amusement
and more n real business occupation 10
those engaged In it, The volunteers
have also done well, n force Of 1900 Of
them being mobilized last year at Alder
shot They now have In their charge
ninety batteries of position equal 10 Ss2
guns. Mr.. Brookheld, during the debafe.
put the volunteer force at $4,000 infantry.
1000 artillery. and 1880 engineers.
AS 10 munitions of war. II appears
that $4,000 magazine rifles have been
made. and that 5000 are In the hands OF
troops and 10000 are In India. The new
cavalry carbine will soon be issued while
no fewer than Sc batteries. including 3
at home and % in India, are armed With
the l2-pounder guns.
Taking together the various speeches
on the army estimates. the general inn
preston is derived that the British mill
tary establishment Is in a very fair de-
gree of efficiency. Perhaps this impress
sion may spring In part from the fact
that there Is just now 10 current sensa-
ton a1oat about the worthless bayonets
or mutinies among the Guards, such as
from time to time starts cry that the
whole service is going to the logs. Not.
indeed. that growing is a lost art. Only
recently complaints were heard that the
ermy was too uch composed of uil-
seasoned youngsters: nut In general 1t
would appear that in matters OF admin
istration the military establishments is
reasonably we'll off at the present time.