New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-03
RRTTISH CABINET CHANGES
,,R BRODRICK'S APPOINTMENT AND
WHAT IT SIGNIFIES.
OF GENUINE REFORM IN THE
ARMY SHAKEN.
Copyright 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

fCoryr4Cht 1900 BY The Eew-York Tribune
[BY TRIBUNE.
Uondon Nov s. 6 a. 'm.-Cabnet changes re-
ain the chief topic OF conversation, especially
+, the clubs and military circles. Mr.. Brodrick's
er,naintrnent TO the War Office is extremely well
,eceiyed among military and in the social
sets This may may not be a good sign MI
Brodrick is an experienced official. who knows
the details of military administration. is good
dshater and a man of great energy. He will not
no a square peg in a round hole He is also the
eldest son Of Lord Middleton, and is extremely
popular among the smart people or the west
End. Radical reformers do not hesitate to say
,bet he Is an optimist who cannot be depended
,,,on to resist social influences. They despair Of
,,-t.raesing those sweeping changes in the sys-
tom and especially in the training and disci-
.,i,rine Of officers which are urgently needed
rbe, say that Lord Roberts VIII smooth over
o,.e-,,thipc in trying 10 find lines Of least re-
s;starce and that Mr.. Brodrick will be a plausi-
Ne a5,-ocate in defence of the present system.
,-ha truth is that social influence lies at the
roor II tho worst evils OF the military service
This is what every war correspondent who wit
-as.ad the camnaign in South Africa frankly ad-
-i,e and the conditions OF society IN London
.,,s.,f,, thar conclusion. One Of the best in
foro,ed men about South Africa says:
General Kitchener is the only man who can
4orr, the British army for he alone cares ab-
eointeiv nothing for the opinions of titled women
and smart people.
Generals Butler. White. Methuen, Gatacre ana
elr,ost all the generals except Macdonald ana
L-;+oberer have social backing in London.
rrbara is 2 strong Guards clique. and titled ana
teebionable classes are bound up in defence OF
,he military establishment. which is managed 10
q large extent by men OF their own class. what
&c needed more than anything else is a thorough
going reform which will open the army on demo-
cratic lines TO the masses of the nation There
viii be many technical improvements in the
artillery cavalry and other services. and many
weak spots in the system Of Imperial defence
will be strengthened. but there is not likely to be
anv infusion Of fresh blood in the army.
Politicians assert that in place Of the clean
sweep Of rusty functionaries the Cabinet changes
have merely strengthened the grip of Mr.. Cham
berlain upon the administration There are
r7anv people who see Mr. Chamberlains hne
Roman hand in everything that happens IN
public life.
No official announcement has yet been maze
Of further changes in the personnel OF the GOV
eminent and il is evident that Lord Salisbury
has not finished his task OF reconstruction. lrlSf
Nationalist as we'll as Unionsts derive satisfac-
ton from the rumor that Mr.. Wyndham will be
appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland While
Arthur I2alfour occupied this office Mr.. Wynd-
ham acting as his private secretary, won many
friends in Ireland among all classes.