Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-16
LATTER GREW VERY PERSONAL
Question of Conduct Of the War
in South Africa.
GREAT CROWD ATTENDS
peciai Correspondence of The Evening Star.

war scandals to air just as the United
States army had, after the Spanish war,
scandals to expose and grievances to re-
dress. l never supposed, though, that our
conservative British cousins would so pub
licly wash their soiled linen. OF course,
it has been known ever since Lord Wolse-
ley left the war Office that he was nursing
grievance, and that sooner or later he
would have his say. The most that was
expected, however, was that he would COM
plain of the present army system and ask
for a committee to examine into it with
view of remedying such anomalies as
might be found. Every one is startled at
the turn taken during the acrimonious de-
bate in the house of lords on Monday
night, and it is a decided exposition of the
real friction which has existed during the
past five years or so between the late
secretary of war; Lord Lansdowne and
the late chief, Viscount
Wolseley.
Lord Lansdowne's sharp rejoinder came
as a surprise to most, and his charge of
neglect of duty the part of the COM
mander-in-chief has stirred up most dis
agreeable feelings on all sides. We shall
probably now have the matter sifted to
the bottom. The worst of it is that the
present war secretary, Mr.. Brodrick, and
Lord Roberts are on no better terms than
the late occupants of the war office, and
probably further trouble may be expected.
Lord Wolseley's Speech.
A critical examination of Lord Wolseley's
lengthy speech reveals the fact that he stu
diously abstained from any allusion to Lord
Lansdowne or the government He vindicat-
ed his own record at the war Office by con-
demning the system of dual civil mill
tary control under which the British army
exists. This fact is rendered additionally
interesting by reason of the rumors which
were ahoat in political circles last week.
1t was represented that Mr.. Brodrick,
alarmed at any exposure of his and his
predecessors relations with Lord Wolseley
in Pail Mall, sought the Intervention of
the highest authority to prevent it. Lord
Wolseley. it was whispered, would not, af-
ter all, attack those who had thrown upon
him the responsibility for the. plumbers in
South Africa. The speech confirmed the
rumor. Moreover. according to lobby Cos
sip, a meeting took place between the king
and Lord Woiseley before the debate COM
menced.
Everybody expected a scene of some sort
and the house of commons was deserted.
while the usual scene presented itself on
the other side of the lobby of the house
of lords-being full to -oVerfowing. The
benches of the government side were bank
ed with conservative peers. Over the way
there was only scattering of liberal lords.
Up in the side galleries were many ladies,
The rumor had spread that the king in
tended to be present, and possibly that
had something to do with the brisk attend
ance. Only one prelate, the Lord Archbish-
OPP of Canterbury, besilked and belawned
came, but he found his particular seat oc-
cupied by the lounging young Duke of
Marlborough, so after while he went
away. Then came the prime minister,
cumbrous of figure and with bowed head;
then dawdling, the Duke of Devonshire,
who instantly went to sleep; then the pale,
aquiline-featured Marquis of Lansdowne,
foreign secretary, all movement and ener-
gy. Then, after a while, there came Lord
Wolseley, slight and trim, with his frock
coat buttoned closely. His face is gentle,
not like soldier at all, and he smiled and
shook hands and then sat on the second Of
the cross benches. A minute later came
Lord Roberts, slight also, but not trim,
rather carelessly dressed, indeed, and his
silk hat not nearly so shiny as Lord
Wolseley's But he has strong, bronzed
face, and his eye Is steady and gray. He
sat down behind Lord Wolseley.
Cheers When woIseiey Arose.
The ice had been cracked by the Duke of
Bedford's introduction of the subject and
Lord Raglan's reply, and so when Lord
Wolseley rose, just little nervously, and
in timid voice began addressing the cham
Der there was something that approached a
cheer. Instantly there followed hush, and
every ear was strained to hear what this
slight, White-haired man, leaning with his
hands on the bench before him, had to
say. At first he spoke in rusty whisper,
but confidence came in a minute Then his
voice, high-pitched and jerky, was plainly
heard. He spoke for nearly an hour, an
eager, confident man, wanting to prove
that the disasters that happened in South
Africa while he was communicating chief
in Pail Mall were not to be laid at his door,
England is the only country in the world
save China, said he, where the standing
army is not controlled by professional SOL
diers. The present army system robbed
the professional commender-in-chiefo of his
chief usefulness and virtually handed over
the command and entire management of
the army to a civilian secretary of state,
assisted by subordinates, with whom he
dealt dlrect. III an army to send to South
Africa had not been forthcoming when Mr..
Kruger declared war the blame rested upon
the secretary for war and not with the
commander-in-chief If the guns or small
arms were not what they should have been,
SO that it was found that they were prac-
tically useless for modern warfare, the re-
sponsibilty did not rest with the COM
mander-ln-chlef The secretary for war
was alone responsible.
He had often pointed out the waste of
the army, and, having done it, he could do
no more. The various governments had
thought it advisable for economic reasons
10 postpone their provision, but yet they
would not take the nation into their con-
hdence that such important demand for
men and stores had been put forward by
the experts and refused. Let the nation
decide between the expert and the econo-
mist! The military efficiency of the army
now depended upon a civilian, whom the
prime minister selected from among his
political supporters. Soldiers did not love
the war office or its civilian rulers.
Plea for the Military Expert.
Further, the military expert at the war
office should have the right to make his
views public whenever the occasion arises.
1t was not satisfactory when there was
difference of opinion on military needs be-
tween the political and professional chief
that nothing was heard on the issue out
side the war office. 1t was for the nation
to have the casting vote. Our army should
be worked upon military lines by officers
well educated in staff work, under the di-
rect orders and supervision of the most
experienced general as cemmander-in-
chief.
Not cheer Interrupted the flow of this
speech. But just as Lord Wolseley ended
the liberal peers gave vent to rustic of
applause All through the talk Lord
- "a ND&eH - - n a. 49, 81