The Portland daily press., 1900-02-13
THE ARMY MEASURES.
Compulsory Service is Entirely In.
necessary.

London, February 1s.-The House of
Commons was crowded today In antici-
patton of the statement Of Mr.. George
wyndham, paIliamentry secretary Of the
war Office, In regard to the army meas
ures. Mr.. Jossph II. Choate, the United
States ambassador; Mr.. Henry White,
the secretary Of the United states emtas-
sy, and MIR. W. I. Baker, the president
of the Chicago board Of trade. were among
hose present In the distinguished strang-
ers' gallery. Mr.. Wyndham rose. amid
cheers, when the House went into CON-
mittee on supply, and s,id that he did not
propose to deal with the question of the
prosecution OF ths war. but would procTed
Immediately to outline other military
measures Necessary for placing home de-
fense on satisfactory footing. The gov
ernment, he continued, had not even
considered the que stion Of compulsory
service, which was entirely unnecessary
In view Of the activity Of recruiting for
the auxiliary forces. Since the war TO-
600 recruits had Joined under the exist
ing conditions and, he pointed out, II
improved facilities were offered he an :
t,cipated that the voluntary auxiliary
forces, II their efficiency was increased,
would easily suffice for passive defense
and to garrison the seaports and other
positions. They might even be qualified
for undertaking more onerous duties.
The government proposed to put the
ray of the militia on the same scale as
the regulars and embody the whole
militia.
During the spring and SUNNI er the
voluntary artillery would be rs-armed
and a higher cspitation grant would be
given the volunteers coupled with the
demand for higher efficiency. A mounted
Infantry volunteer corps would be formed
and the yeomanry would be treated on
the same broad principles. The artil-
lery, army ssrvice corps and engineers
necessary for two additional army corps,
would be raised forthwith, namely 80
field batteries and ssven horse batteries.
The speaker aiso said 1t had been deoid-
ed to raise 10 additional infantry battal-
ions.
Continuing, Mr.. wyndham said the
existing cavalry fcroes would also be
expanded by seven regiments and that
commissions would be offered to militia
officers. to the colonies and to the uni
versitiss. At pr esent, the speaker fufth-
er pointed out, there vera 100, COO regu-
lars In the country and the increase was
anticipated 10 hc 30, 900. There were now
s2S, 600 men In - auxiliary forces and
-. anr ha
so, 900 men. So. altogether, the country
would soon have at least bl7,o0 men.
and Mr.. wyndham anticipated that the
number would be nearer coo, 600 than q
half million.
The secretary OF state for war. Lord
Lansdowne, furnished the Hous Of Lords
with q statement similar to that Of Mr.
Wyndham.
The Prince Of Wales and the Duke Of
Cambridge were interested listeners In
the House Of Lords. Mr.. Wyndham's
announcement that commissioners In
the regular army would be offered to the
colonies, was received with greatgcheer-
ing. During the course OF his remarks.
Mr.. wyndham refarred to the govern
Ubulb CunuusnCt III sAo RbWCA ah1
splendid efficiency of the fleet. saying 1t
was never greater or more legitimate
than now. But. ir case of the fear Of in
vasion, the garrlsoning Of the coast
towns would devolve on the auxiliary
forces, as 1t would be the first duty OF
the feet to be OF the enemys coast. or
face to face with the enemy.
NJ Wyndhap, han
said, was not making an appeal for
money and men In a spirit Of panic. The
risk was not very ve'y much nearer than
a year ago. But IL had increased In ex-
act proportion to the reduction Of the
home military defense, which sufiiced to
Justify the present demands for an in
crease OF the resources for hnme defense.
The liberal leader, Sir Henry camp
bell -Bannsrman, who folio wed, said he
had heard of the great scheme for the
administration Of a great army, but he
had not heard single figure mentioned
as to the cost thereof nor even In regard
to the particular vote. How much OF
the money required was due to the pres
ent war;
To this question Mr.. Wyudham replied,
"Four hundred and twenty thousand
pounds"
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman sad
he could not be expected to pronounce
an opinion upon the scheme suddenly
but, he added, he believed that nine
tenths Of his hearers were ready to do
almost anything for the purpose OF the
present war, but wouid like to regard
Ii as a war measure alone, leaving the
question OF the future increase and re-
arran ge ments open for future discussion.
10 Is explained In the lobbies OF the
House of Commons that MIR. Wyndham
me ant to convey that all the supple
mentsry estimates asked for were dre to
the war, except 4s0. pounds required
for the new scheme TO CLOSE the Imam
ciaI year cf March 81.