The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-10
BOBS MAKING 4 Big FIGHT TO
IMPROVE THE BRITISH ARMY
He Realizes The Importance Of Good Cavalry
and Artillery.
THE MEN MUST BE GOOD SHOTS
English Troops Dissatisfied With the War Depart
ment, but Cheerfully Go to The Front-The
Royal Yacht Is Dismal Failure.
By HENRY ". LUCY.
Che Celebrated Parliamentary Reporter.)
iCoDyrirht all rights reserved.)

LONDON, Jan. 30-With Characteristic
yigor and industry Lord Roberts first
home from the wars and hampered by
ceremonial and hospitable attention, has
set himself closely to his task of army re-
form. The question people are andously
putting TO themselves is. will he have 4
Tree hand or Will he ne subject to the in
reference and control of the Secretary
of State for War and the absurd Defence
Committee of the Cabinet It is rdicu-
lol,s TO think of the veteran Field Mar
shall being overlooked by the typical mid
dIe-aged young man whom Lord SaiiS-
bury DESTROYS of strengthening his min
istry put at the head of the War once
From what is known of him IN the House
of Commons and in private circles of MI
St. John BrodricE, is not regarded as the
kind of man who, in military affairs,
would set himself Up against Bobs.
/ hear ominous ruClorS from inside cir
cles that since he went to the War Offlce
he has developed unexpected character
istics of independence of opinion. not TO
call it stubbornness. According TO an au-
ihCrity in q position TO know he is max
ing them sit up all round; that he is
taking himself very seriously in his eN-
allied position appears from the fact that
within fortnight. of assuming it he ini-
tiated War Office reform by the familiar
process of appointing 4 committee of in
Quiry.
Lord Roberts, happily, wants no COM
,2littee of inquiry Since. forty-nine years
ago next month, he sailed for India, the
proud possessor of a commission as lieu
tenant in the Bengal Artillery in the SER
vice of the Honorable East Indian Com
panv. he has been on the spot inquirng
Tor himself He knows exactly what is
required 10 make the British army an
effective weapon Of offence and defence
and he has learned afresh in South Africa
Whereby it lacks essentials. Since his re-
turn to England persistent attempts have
been made from various quarters 10 draw
him into a statement of his views on the
subject But Bobs, most genial of man
kind, ever ready to oblige, is hard to
draw He is less reticent in the company
of his staff or other comrades In CONVEX
satioa with one of these gather what
may be accepted as the basis Of army
reform as attempted under the direction
of Lord Roberts.
MUST SHOOT STRAIGHT
To begin with. he will cndcavor to
make, the army more attractive by I'M
,,royIna the condition of the men. There
will not only be increased pay. but there
viii he obolition OF number of petty
restrictions beloved OF martinets, but in
efficient for practical purposes, and hour
~ yeSations to the men. Some years ago
eyer careful of the comfort of the COM
mon soldier, Lord Roberts. after paying
visit 10 the Rowton lodging houses. was
struck by the desrability of adopting The
cubiclc system of sleeping acco'nmoda-
.tors TO harrack life. This principle viii
be introduced in the new barracks that
will become Immediately necessary. 1t
seems n matter of detail but it testiiies
10 the 1i,oroughness of Lord Roberts sur
xer OF the situation. He believes it viii
have immense effect in raising the moral
status OF the men.
Recognizing the imposslbility OF con-
:,cr.ptioa in this country he favors a
scheme of short enlistment. say for three
years. the men thereafter passing into the
Reserve. forming an eyer-increasng force
ready for emergencies. Lord Roberts IS
about all things insistent that the Brit
fish soldier shall be able to shoot straight
This efficiency can be acquired only by
constant practice, ard It will at any eN-s
pense BIO provided for under the new or
der OF things.
CAVALRY NEEDED.
On another point OF view 1t 10 needless
Ia Gay he differs from tho eminent az