The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-26
BRITISH ARMY REFORMS
New Regulations Proposed Taken
From Methods of the United States.
More Pay and Better Treatment For En-.
listed Men Expected to Improve tho
service-Major Lees Views.

London.-The new army regulations
proposed by the War Secretary. Mr..
Brodrick. providing for Increased pay
and other reforms. which have created
30 much comment. appear to have BEEN
directly copied from the United States.
Major Arthur Lee. member Of Parlia-
ment for the Fareham Division Of
Hampshire and formerly British Mill.
tary Attache ut Washington. said OF
the proposed change:
AT last We have taken a leaf from
the excellent book Of III. United States.
though l do not believe we have gone
quite so far in that direction as we
might have done. and as I hope We
may do ultimately. Under Mr.. Brod-
rick's proposed changes private In
the British infantry now receives al.
most as much rs private In the Unit.
ed States Army.
with this change. which I frequent
II advocated while military attache at
Washington. We hope to get q class
Of recruits similar to those secured In
America. Under the old pay We grad.
ually were lowering the physical
standard, yet still findinC 1t hard to
get men. while our descrtion percent
age was increasing ut n rate which
showed there was somethins radically
wrong with the system. The Amer
lean Army was the only other volun-
tar!ly enlisted body In the world with
which we could make servlceable com.
parisons. tie Continental armies. 0w.
ing to conscription and other causes.
being perfectly worthless examples.
"a year ago Mr.. Brodrick pooh.
poched the idea Of copying the plan IN
use in the United States. Now he has
changed his mind, and done what the
majority Of the members Of the House.
regardless of party, believe to be the
very best thing that could we'll have
happened TO the army since Mr.. Card.
we'll Tin 1872 affected his sweeping re.
forms. For the first time Tommy
Atkins with everything found and
higher pay. will be in 4 better position
than his agricultural brother. and from
that class We ought now 10 get the
best instead or tho worst.
1T may hurt the agricultural inter-
est. or what Is left Of It in England.
But I do not believe that this damage
will be as serious as the evils which
the change will correct. Not only Is II
interesting to note the influence for the
better Of the American system In these
sweeping changes. but In addition they
will have a tremendous importance
In another direction. Last year the
Government clearly indicated Its fears
that II might have to resort to con-
scription. The present move banishes
NIL possibility Of this. for I understand
Mr.. Brodr,ck Is willing to go even
further in adapting the United States
excellent method Of treatment for en-
listed men. and by liberal finance build
up the standard Of the army.
1.-The increase in pay means m ad-
ditional annual cost Of about $10.000.-
600. but I maintain that 1t will be d.
rect saving Of money. for the better
class of men secured will mean fewer
men In the hospitals and prisons. as
we'll as obviating other forms Of vast.
age. and quickly will make up for the
additional initial outlay. Some day
perhaps we may he able TO adopt the
sensible plan OF the United States Of
paying the enlisted men OF all arms at
the same rate. But traditions here die
hard