Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-14
COST OF BRITISH WARS.
Some of the Rewards Paid Her Great
Generals.

The prompt preparation of a money
reward for Lord Kitchener by the Bit
ish parliament. although not so ADerai
as recommended by the king, IS IN &C.
cordance with precedent. Successiui
generals have always been Handsomely
treated as far back as the time OF AT
fred the Great Lands, fortunes. an
nuities and titles have been bestoWeu
upon them by the sovereign. the parma
ment and the people, although, COM
pared with the record OF the oniteu
States, the common soldier mas peei
overlooked There is no military pen
sion system in Great Britain. CiVii u
ficials are pensioned after long ana
faithful service and the sovereign mas
yearly allowance from parliament
from which he is allowed 10 pay an
nuities and pensions TO distinguished
authors. poets, painters, scientists ana
others who nave promoted the welfare
and the happiness of their fellow men,
Some of this money is given TO the
widows and orphans of soldiers VINO
have shown extraordinary bravery or
done extraordinary deeds, but there is
no general pension fund for disabled
veterans of the British army or for
widows or orphans.
II, 1900. when il was found difficult
10 get recruits for the army in South
Africa. parliament attempted IN stimu-
Iate enliStments by voting a sum of
money 10 pension the families of those
who we've killed or permanently dis
:blcd. but it was distinctly and often
eiyely stated in the text of the law that
such glatuities were granted as acts of
.haritv and not as an obligation; that
they were intended 10 be rewards for
loyalty and efficient service and could
be discontinued at any time at the
pleasure of parliament. The secretary
OF war was authorized TO reject any
admiration for any reason That
seemed sufficient TO him. and was pro-
hibitcl from paying pensions TO wo-
men who are living immoral lives or
ARE addicted to the use of intoXlcants.
The amounts allowed are very small.
compared to the liberal pension list OF
the United States. The widows OF
rterr.astar sergeants. hospital SER
geantS. ana sergeant majors receive so
n month. those of color serseants 81,
serlcants $500. corporals Sc and pri-
Yates s.. Orphan children of soldiers
re, -ive 30 cents a week to the age Of IL.
when they are considered I?ld enough to
take care of tn anselves.
No pensions whatever are given TO Of
icers or to their widows or orphans.
although those who desire 10 take adj
Vantage OF tlte retired list. receive half
pay for the remainder Of their lives.
subject. Of course 10 be called into &C
tive service if needed.
Lord Kitchener has already received
a grant Of S150,J Tor his services i'll
Egypt. FIVE wears ago, which gives him
$40. 600 in all, the largest reward ever
given a British soldier. and a sum that
would go very far toward relieving the
distress of the widows Of the thousands
of braye fellows who .fel while. execu-,
ting his comma nd=. Mr.. Il, dnl1nd was
right in calling attention to the way in
which they are neglected. After the
Afchanistln campaign Lord Roberts
received gift of $4,000; Lord wolseley
received 100000 after the Ashanti cam
paign and $4,000 after the Egg plain
camraiGn.
During the reign of Queen Victoria
the following annuities We're granted 70
victorious generals. which are unpa-
ralleled in the generosity Of nations: