New-York tribune., 1901-03-09
Mr.. BRoDRICKs STATEMENT
SCHEME OF ARMY REFORM OUTLINED IN
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
london March SIN the House Of Commons
.o.sav Nr Brodrick, the Secretary for War
prefaced his introduction Of the army estimates
far 1901 -'Oo by saying that the war in South
Africa had brought 10 Eight many faults even
N those portions Of the army system which were
believed 10 be best He complained OF the
scartv and reluctant support that the govern
rOspt's PROPOSALS for strengthening the army
had received in the House Of Commons.
Mr. Bro6rfck then proceeded 10 divulge the
War Office proposals, which contemplate the
ability TO send abroad three army corps. with
division Of cavalry in all 10000 men, ana al
the same time to have sufficient force for home
defences The War Office proposals further con-
template that the country be divided into SIX
districts each district representing an army
corps and each c--nmanded by an officer who
had commanded troops in time Of war. Inc
artillery was obviously insufficient, and the field
artillery mus, he supplemented by heavier guns
The army must be provided with much larger
body OF mounted men and transport ana the
musketry drill needed improving
Il was a question between the voluntary ana
compulsory systems He adhered 10 the former,
under which 100000 men had offered them
selves for the war. Compulsion would, there
fore. be like applying the spur TO Wiling horse,
and would be disastrous. The government could
not hope TO get rid OF European entanglements
Il could not shut out the possibility of having
to dispatch forces 10 defend the British posses
sons abroad
Mr.. Brodrick then entered into details con-
cerning the proposed reorganization Of the army.
He said the object Of the government in dlVld-
ing the country into six districts was 10 CEN
ualize the responsibility and decentralize the ad-
mnistrati0n. Three army corps, 10 be enllrely
composed Of regulars, would be statloned al
Al5ershot Salisbury and N Ireland The other
thTee army corps, 10 include sixty Dattahons OF
mAlla and volunteers, would be stationed al
colchester, York and Edinburgh. The govern
ulehI IN accIuon, proposed 10 raise elSAt pa'-
tsl4ons for garrison duty, from men about 10
eAleF tne reserve 10 esta bllsh q reserve ml!i''d
sna raise a force Of 3900o yeomanrya l.
armed with short rifles and bayonets. The
Se9luon 10 the army under this scheme, ~cu.q
De l26500 men, al a cost of f2,O00O0O. and
7VOoO additional trained volunteers.
ar Brodrlck also said il was proposed that
vHcers hereafter should be able To procure
caer o uniforms at government establishments at
Dealing with War Office reform. sIr Brodrick
INSISTED that there must be hearty cooperation
oetWeen the cOmmauder-in-chiefa and the Sec
te'afy Tor War, and he asked that a committee
changes
M, Mr Brodrick said that the estimates for the
.e0r, apart from the war estimates. amounted
s On account OF the war, the full sum il
~pecteo -o 10 have 10 ask for. They were deter
% %a'eu 70 carry the war TO a conclusion and had
Ss sNhled the generals in anything.
- - nIoullck proposes TO arm the volunteer
s, .s militia artillery with field and position
fns4W W modern pattern, TO raise five more
,an e-an battalons for garrison duty and 10
.aLenster the garrisoning Of coaling stations TO
- Aumlfalty He viii not increase the pay
rs s4e solclers, but viii devote more time TO
TTsauFfes and less TO barrack square drills.
sSI.Nei me new scheme the army for home de-
So So VIII consist Of l55fso regulars 100000 re-
9sness louovo militia, 25.st0 yeomanry and
-e.Vtb volunteers
q, "a the advice Of Lord Roberts commanders
oni my corps VIII be appointed for three years
r.-S;, instead OF hve so that he may be able TO
NJ thein II they prove inefficient.
81 - Diodrlck emphasized the discrimination OF
oo,,I 1dI Ollce that only officers proved III TO
,s,.iianc In war time should have these an
".sIlfnents. He said:
q " intend 70 delegate TO these commanders
Nv lse ~ amount OF the authority now exercised
sS,, he war Office. / believe this delegation of
ressaa IS the only means whereby we can
pooa ~ our military system. All the forces of
6re nature, all the forces Of prejudice an the
- oste which can be exerted, will be exerted
Co. 'n1ece us 10 appoint officers to Commands
he 1nlch they are unfit ] viii not come 10
an sse Ouse TO ask for these large estimates for
sake -, .sieht @ army and then be made. for the
D,so- peace ana quietness 10 put these troons
uhe command OF inefficient officers"
"S CAPTURE SEVENTEEN SCOTTS
N"pe Town. March s-Three hundred Roere
ouhoed nifty Of DriscoIls scouts March . AZ
y. near Doom Berg. The scouts held out
n. peay and night before relief reaebed tbar,
is captured seventeen.