The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-01
REFORM OF METHODS
British Experts See Necessity
of Providing New Ways
For the Army.

London. Jan 3l-The report OF the
royal commission known as the Lord
Usher commission which was appoint
ed last November for the purpose OF
advising the government concerning
1he creation OF board for the admin
fstrative business OF the war Office has
been issued. and It confirms the change
f0reshadcwed by the Associated Press
on Nov IS, ramely. that the post OF
commander in chief Cf the army VIII
be abolished.
With the approval of the king and
acting upou the recommendations or
the commission, the government has
decided 10 appoint an ARMY council
framed upon the admiralty models TO
abolish the office Of commander in
chief Of the army and to create a new
post, that of inspector general whose
principal duty VIII be TO inspect and
report on the efficiency of the military
forces.
The report IS divided into three see
tions, the first of which relates to the
defense committee the second TO the
army council and the third u inspec-
ton It points out the necessity of
greater perInauence in the defense COM
mittee IN order TO insure a continuous
policy. and il suggests the addition to
the existing defense committee of a
five years. two naval officers selected
by the admiralty. two military officers,
chosen by the Ticeroy Of India. and If
possible other colonial representatives
holding office for two years.
With regard to the war Office the
commission suggests that the secretary
Or state for war be placed in the same
position as the INST lord of the admir-
atty, directly responsible 30 the crown
and 20 parliament Tue constitution o.
the army council aims at deCentTaliZa-
ton. the individual members of the
council being entrusted with different
branches, such as armament, supplies,
finance. etc.
I'm this connection the report re-
marks significantly.
New measures demand new men.
We therefore attach special impOr-
tance TO the appointment of military
members not too closely connected with
existing methods. and who. therefore
are not likely to be embarrassed by the
traditions of d system which is TO be
radically changed
The commission considers the aboli-
ton Of the post of commander in chiel
10 be imperative, and it urges the di-
vorce Of the administrative from the
executive department.
The inspector general Is TO be APP
pointed for I'VE years. His sole func-
zion. aided by staff, is to report upon
actual facts without expressing opin-
ions on policies.
The Lord Esther committee reported
with unusual prOmpUitude. Sir George
Sydelham Clarke, governor of Nicto-
ria. one of the members of the conf
mittee. only arrived in England Dec.
so while the report is dated Jan. IS.
tt IS understood that all the neces-
sarv changes win be carried out with
the least possible delay after obtain
ing formal consent OF parliament
Where it is necessary. ale report is
most practical and businesslike. II
SAYS Il is necessary To make COM
plete breach with the past and endeav
or to reconstitute the war Office with
an eve single TO the effective training
and preparation of the military forcee
for war" Again. it says, the 0bJec'
should be to secure for the British en-
pire. with the least possible derange-
ment of the existing machinery thf
immediate advantages which genera
staff conferred upon Germany.
Contrasting the efficiency of the al
miralty with the ineliiciency Of tnf
war office. the report COMPLAINS thai
the latter has DO thinking DEPARTMENT
The morning papers editoriaily ap-
plaud the report Of the Lord Esnei
commission as thorough and practical
and express the hope that the govern
u3eut will execute the reforms witt
courage ana rromputRde.