New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-16
BRITISH ARMY TACTICS.
VETERAN COMMANDERS ARE IN
CHARGE AT ALDERSHOT.
FEW TROOPS ON THE GRoUND-PossiBLE
INCREASE OF BANK RATE
THE ELECTIONS.

fsnacial 10 The Nev-york Tribune by French Csblel
Copyright; 1902: BY The Tribune Assocation'>
London, Aug IT, g. m.-The ARRIVAL or slr
John French at AIdershot would have been an
impressive event if there had been an army
corps on the ground instead of skeleton or
ganization on paper. Only five battalions of IN
fantry are now stationed at Aldershot, and one
of these is under orders to embark for Nova
Scotia and the cavalry and artillery supports
are equally weak. Eighteen sets of infantry
barracks now vacant and even when the
brigade of the Guards arrives there VIII be only
eight battaIions out of the twenty five required
for an army corps, and there will barely De; one
division out of the three included in the organ
ization of full corps
Mr. Brodrick's artificial scheme of army reor-
eanization seems essentially unreal after the
mannuvres il Eastern Prussia, where there;
were two corps complete in every detail, and in
full strength on a peace footing. The real sig
offcance of General French's assumption of the
command of the First Army Corps lies In the
complete disappearance of the Aldershot
Gang" which was tried and found wanting III
South Africa
Generals Butler Methuen, Clery and Gatacre.
with all the brigade commanders originally
chosen for that fatuous promenade to Pretoria,
have lost their prestige. There has been sur
1,ivaI of the httest and veterans like Generals
49,
nels Plumer and Elliott Wood are placed in
command of the First Army Corps. There is no
1acl of experienced officers, whose tactics are
NOT drawn from books from the barrack
smoking rooms but from the skirmish line and
battlefield.
No revolution in the training of the British
army can be effected until men are obtained Tor
the army corps and this is not likely to happen
before the end of next year. Smart society has
ceased to exercise a decisive influence at Alder
shot
The money stringency at New-York is tenn
norarilv unsettling the market for American Sc
curities here and may involve an increase OF the
hank rate Gold exports from London are looked
FOR and these will be followed by 81 change in
the bank rate if there be strong outward
movement The monetary situation here mas
been remarkably easy at low rates for long
period Considerable borrowing operations are
expected speedily by promoting the South Afri-
can settlement.
Lord Londonderry has caused a fiutter in the
political dovecotes by his reference to pos
sjbility of an early general election. LORD Lon
donderry is not man of much importance III
the political world, but as a Cabinet minister
he should know something about Mr.. Balfours
Intentions and after all, he has only said what
for weeks has been quietly whispered even
before adjournment of the House OF COM
mons Members of Parliament We're discussing
the chances of dissolution before Christmas
The autumn session is certain to be lively one,
and Mr. Balfour will have to place special re-
lance upon the discipline and devotion OF his
Parliamentary supporters Some unexpected IN
cident may, however, precipitate a crisis which
would surprise only those official optimtsts who
are out of touch with popular feeling.
/. n. F.