The Montgomery tribune., 1902-02-14
THE WAR OFFICE SCANDAL.
Speculating Contractors Made Hun
dreds of Thousands of Pounds
Reselling Contracts.
RHODES AND THE DE BEERS aAKE.ofF.
Public Indignation Threatens 20
Center Around the secretary for
War, Mr.. Roderick. ns viriousiy
as II Did Around Lord Lsns-
downe, for Early war BIundcrs.

London. Feb. o.--rhc apparent in
competence, and, II is claimed, possi.
bic dishonesty, which permcatc the
purchasing departments Of the Brit
ish army. as revealed this week in
parliament, have caused n public ngi-
tation that nugurs badly for the war
office. Judging from recent disclos-
ures. scarcely any Of the supplies for
the army in South Africa were Sc
cured ON business principles. SPEC
ULATING CONTRACTORS ARE NOW
KNOWN TO HAVE MADE HUN
DREDs OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS
by REsELLlNG CONTRACTS. The
opposition vninly cndcavor 10 get
details regarding the new contract
for the supply of meat, announced
by the government in the house OF
commons, with the view OF nsccr-
tanning II n saving over the former
methods will really he effected. The
government successfully avoided an
swerlng, but u * understood that
the contract In question was first re-
sold at fi0.O0O premium, and then
nj 10000. while Cecil Rhodes and
the Dcliccrs group handed over
e200,0O0. and thus finally secured the
privilege Of supplying the troops in
South Africa with fresh meat. These
figures are likely 10 he published
here soon, and when known. will
doubtless add fuel TO the fire Of pub.
lie indignation. which threatens to
center around the secretary for war,
Mr.. Brodrick. as viciously as IL did
around Lord Lnnsdownc. when the
latter was sponsor for the early
blundcrs of the war. 4 dozen or
more committees of investigation are
now sitting, or are IN process Of
formation. but. ns the Saturday Re.
view says. "'rhesc are only too often
synonyms of oblivion"
THE fact remains" adds the Sat.
ur,lay Review. ''that we have been
swINDLED on a VERY LARGE
SCALE"
While those stringent criticisms Of
the war office ncc being publicly nc-
ceptcd. there " beneath the surface
n revolt which threatens 90 be Of
even greater Importance. The lead.
ing authorities of the volunteers, In.
cluding many of the commanders of
The bcst-known regiments. several Of
them being titled persons, and near
ly all wealthy. are holding frequent
meetings. To decide ON the method of
/ defeating Mr.. Brodrick's new volun.
tcrr regulations. The committee
| which Mr.. lirodrick appointed %
| hear the grievances only aggravated
| matters. The commanders of the
leading regiments had previously
formed themselves into dcputntion
| 10 wait on Mr.. Brodrfck. and he,
| temporarily, declined 10 see them:
but the secretary for war stole a
march on the members Of the depu.
tntlon 10y announcing in the house Of
commons that he had appointed Il
committee of his own. in which not
one OF the dcputation was included
/ His action created intense feeling
among the members of the original
dcputntion, who privately declare
that the new volunteer regulations
and the "dcadhcad committee" were
introduced for the sole purpose OF
making conscripiion possible,
The colonel of one OF the London
RECIPIENTS said Ia u press representa-.
tiyc' 1--WE know Mr.. Brodrick wants
conscription, though, perhaps, In II
modified form. II his ideas win the
day, the volunteers will gradually
cease 10 be nm effective force. and
will thereby supply the war Office
with it's strongest argument in faspr
~ compulsory military service, or the
enforcement OF the old ballot laws
Rather than see that come about. we
intend to break up our regiments.
have n letter from distinguished
noblcmnn. urging me Ia take that
course, and many other commanding
officers contemplate disbnnding thcii
regiments"