The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-16
How England's Army In Ran.


For some wears past much has appeared IN your
columns on the subject Of "otNcers' expenses"
leading In some cases TO professional rlln
Facts are what will most interest your readers.
and in support OF Lord Robcrtss recent order feel
constrained to give my experiences on the subject
when second in command" OF my regiment. tho
Second Battalion Gordon HighlanderS-the old
Ninety second.
Shortly after rcioning my regiment from hVe
years s,an appointment and on being selected as
It's second In command, received inc 'ouo"hs
letter from q subaltcrn:
VICTORIA BARRACKS. BELFAST, Thursday
DEAR Major: have been requested 10 draw
your attention to Rule No g. passed by the prono''
ers Of the regiruental drag fund I, appears from
this ne that you are liable 10 back subscriptions
which amount TO forty one pounds tfiD
please inform me as TO what steps you des'ro
me to take In this matter. Yours truly,
~ GORDON PIRIE.
lieutenant. Honorary Secretary, Res'mental
Drag Fund
Most fortunately for me, had the necessary
moral courage 10 tell this young suba'ern NAV,
-being n married officer with a lnrge family. snn
that. like most Hghlandcrs, not being men man,
d,d no, feel ,rstifed In paying sum OF over fio
FOR such purpose. more particularly as TINS larzs
sun, had been suddenly sprung upon me without
any nreyiOus notice OF any kind, al any urt
However / offered to pay my subscription ''r me
current year and any monthly expenses IN keeping
I'm III. drag This reasonable OFFER was declines
Through the linked battalion system the Colonel
of the regiment AZ this time was an Importation
from the seventy NTH Regiment, an Enghshuan.
who was years my Junior In age and length OF
service but senior 10 me- by few weeks as MAJOR
in the English regiment 10 which the old N,neT-
second Gordon Highlan ders had been linked
Within A few weeks after refusing to be Involved
In such an expenditure the annual connoehUa "
mort was sent in. The opportunity was taNrh OF
inserting In this report written by an ofhcer uhnef
whom I had only served for very pr'rf prr'""'
that I did not possess me esteem ana conn"c'''
n, my juniors" This the very first unfaVor
able report Of any nature from any OF my com
,r,pdinc officers during a period OF nearly 'hHS
vars l took the usual steps In such case ana
received au of,iclal communication from inc ave
Gen sly George Hartman. the then MiI''ary seer
,ary. Inviting me to serv" on In my regiment Wv"
the command fell vacant. This somewhat r.
luc,artly did under the circumstances pn' ori'X
n Highlander and having long family connection
with the old Ninety second Gordon n'ghlahdrt>'
| considered 1t was my duty to remain IN 'ne
regiment.
In du. course | took over the command o' my
regiment aud t,ter retaining II Tor pnet '"e
I received suddenly, ono day an rSiraofu'Hni'
t-l,pr,ul from Gru. Sly RrdNcrs Rulrr 'h'h we
Nlutnni General, ordering m" TO mana "Nft WV
,,pr,,,,, n, once to Another young English ohc'f
i,cu a Major commanding u company, ana '"
taNr ltayr
In reference 10 this high handed and iTreg IH
,,,I,t / have Ut To thr present, never r"0fN''
tb, ,ralIe.' explanation, and nave blihrr'o b''h
uu,u,r IN obtain any redress
, t.ud the very highest certificates from The
hest knuWH Generals Ia the hrInS many 0 ""'l
sre row .er,iuy In responsible positions II VII
lTn - a.