Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-25
The Government Sustained OH
the Army Reform Measure
In the Commons
CRITICISMS ARE NOT SUSTAINED
Prime Minister Balfour Makes Speech
in Which He Defends the Course of
the Government in Reorganization
Plan-Broderick' Critics Admit His
Good Defense.

London, Feb 25.-The government
icy by vote of 261 TO 145 in the house
of commons after two days debate of
Mr.. Beckett's amendment to the ad-
dress in reply to the kings speech.
The vote was taken amidst great ex-
element, aroused by the closing words
of Premier Balfour. who said if the
house desired an army on scale that
the government thought was made
quate it must have another govern
ment.
Prime Minister Balfour contended
that three army corps of trained SOL
diers We're necessary for the empire,
apart from the home defense, for which
three corps, mainly of citizen soldiery.
must be relied upon.
He believed that the government
scheme would mark an epoch from
which increased efficiency would be
dated, but the scheme was not final and
it could be reversed If circumstances in
course was necessary.
Premier Balfour complimented Mr..
Asquith on going to the heart of the
proposition namely: whether the
army was too large and costly for the
empires needs. OF course, he said. the
fleet stood first, but there were limits
to the uses of fleet. 1t was impos-
sible to bring war to an end with a
fleet which could not even strike a
heavy blow at most enemies with
which Great Britain might be engaged
without strong attacking force of
soldiers, and it would be folly to de-
prive the country of a means of Of
fensive action In the event of an emer-
gency.
Mr.. Balfour contended that three
army corps We're necessary for work
outside the empire. They had to con-
slider the defense of India. He regarded
a war between Great Britain and Rus
STA as in the highest degree improbable
but it was impossible to forget that the
Indian frontier was the key of Great
Britain's military position in the event
of such war, and without being ali
alarmist he wished to impress upon
them that events moved rapidly in CEN
trail Asia.
I'VE had to consider" continued the
premier, how far the strategical posi-
ton of Russia improved year by year.
The Indian frontier is the only part
OF the empire adjacent to first class
military power, and in the improbable
and unhappy event of war with Rus
STA we should require not only all the
available forces in India but all the
forces that Mr.. Brodrick's scheme
places at the disposal of the crown"
| Mr.. Balfour claimed that the govern
ment deserved we'll of the country, and
did not trim it's sails to popular ia
vor.
A division was taken at midnight
The nationalists walked out when the
division bell rang, and only twelve
unionists voted for the amendment. II
| is certain that the natlonalists would
have opposed the amendment IL the UNI
ionist revolt had been more serious, as
they had no idea of allowing the gov
eminent to be defeated before the Irish
land bill is introduced and enacted.
! Alexander Wylie and other men who
had criticised the war Office methods
admitted that they had no intention OF
voting against the government. Brod-
rick's critics. moreover. We're con-
strained to admit that he had made a
better defense than they had expected
altho he had shown little art in COW
ering the weak points of the reorgan-
ization scheme or in making best use
of facts respecting the increase or
recruiting and the strengthening OF
the regular army, the militia, and the