The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-03-26

I
The English army has been hampered
by the regards " the sovereign for
many generations 1t was for many
years under the acknowledgement Of a
blundering old gentleman who was a
relative Of the late queen, Then came
a change, and England's only general,
as Lord wolsaley was fsceuously called
was given the command But he has
never been permitted a free hand, The
administration was in the hands " the
war oftiSe. which is the pampered rest
ing ground " gentlemen ot distinguish
ed lineage. There has ever been q re-
'uctance on the part Of the government
10 ask for large appropriations for the
army. The nation has been wrongly
educated to the belief that the navy can
get all the money II asks for. but the
first hint that money is needed for the
army brings forth clamor that the
very bravest do not wish to meet 1t
looks amazing that a wealthy nation
like the English should have supplied
their armies with inferior weapons to
7 those which the burgherS had. 1t
proved a hideous policy. this penny
wise and pound foolish method
After every disaster there had been
the cry that now the English nation
will awaken TO the realization that the
present method Of managing the army
viii have to give way before a prac-
teal scheme. The trouble lies in the
nepotism that prevails in the service.
1t may not be very generally known
that it is a very difficult matter for any
outsider to get into any Of the guards
regiments. The Officers keep the guards
as a close corporation. When there Is
vacancy some young fellow who is
a son Of an officer or who has aristo-
cratic connections is given notice and
hy some occult means he is gazetted.
Lord Methuan was one Of the brilliant
examples of the system.
1t is also a fact tina, the men in the
British army who have won for them
selves great names have not been closely
allied to the aristocracy. Lord wolseley
was poor when he joinzd a West Indian
regiment. and his hard work made him
famous. Lord Roberts was the son Of a |
general officer and was born in India.
Lord Kitchener does not come Of very
prominent family And yet though the
ration has the opportunity Of compar-
ing these men, the comparison is al
ways in favor Of the noble. In fact,
the people 50 quickly wish to forget
tnat poor man has won a victory that |
they speedily enobls him.
Wealth IS the curse Of the English |
army. And the army, too, gives a man |
a certain position in society. Not every |
commission carries a distinction. A su-
5altern in a foot regiment is d-spised
most heartily by an arrilleryman, a
cavalryman despises both. and the men
Of the crack corps despise all others
who belong to no swell regiments. The
army is not joined fer serious work
by hundreds of young m-n. The Eng
lIsh army man is not a student.
The day is far distant when an Eng
lish commander-in-chie will be able to
answer as did The great Motke when
asked as to whom would succeed him
as commander f the German army.
"These are the future generals" and
he threw open the door Of room where
several men, bsspectacled and looking
ike college professors, were bending
over maps and papers. England has
an army with an apologetic
air, as it were. She alone Of all the
nations has no conscription. She did
not know that the colonies would come
to her aid as they did. and what was
he result? Some foolish Engllshmen
;nubbed tire cOlonials and their refus-
ais 70 take advice from important men
'ost them dear. It is here that the Rus
'ans work 50 differently Men Of
'ation who have been incorporated in
o the Russian empire are raised to
nigh rank. Some Of the greatest of
Russian generals were pure foreigners,
'oing only Russian by absorption. 1t
strengthens the army. Il makes it cos
nopclitan. In England the army is a
lose corporation.
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WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHERS.