New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-01
BRITISH ARMY REFORMS.
THREE RADICAL CHANGES.
Armu Council-No Commander in
Chief-Inspector General.

London. Jan Sf--The report OF the royal
commission known the Esher Commission.
which was appointed last November for the
purpose Of advising the government concerning
the creation OF board for the administrative
business of the War Office has been issued. and
1t confirms the change foreshadowed in dis
patch on November .. namely. that the post OF
commander In chief OF the army viii be abol-
ished
With the approval of the King and acting
upon recommendations OF the commission. the
government has decided to appoint an army
council framed upon the Admiralty model. TO
abolish the office OF commander In chief of the
army and to create a new post. that Of tnspec-
tor general. whose principal duty Will be to
inspect and report on the efficiency OF the mill
tary forces.
The report is divided into three sections, the
first OF which relates to the defence COMMITTEES,
the second to the army council. and the third to
inspection. 1t points out the necessity Of greater
permanenee In the defence COMMITTEES In order
to insure a continu, policy. and II suggests
the addition to the existing defence comulittee
of permanent secretary holding once for i've
years. two naval offic--- selected by the Admir-
atty two military officers chosen by the viceroy
OF India. and II possible. other colonial repre-
sentatives holding Office for two years.
With regard to the w. Office. the commits
sion suggests that the Secretary OF State for
War be placed IN the same position the First
Lord OF the Admiralty. directly responsible to
the Crown and to Parliament The lstitution
OF the army council aims at decentralization.
to the Individual members OF the council being
intrusted different branches. such armament.
supply. finance. etc. In this connection the re-
port remarks significantly:
New measures demand new men We there
fore attach special Importance to the appoint
ment of military members not hitherto CLOSELY
connected with existing methods. and who.
therefore. are not likely 20 embarrassed by the
traditions Of a system which Is to be radically
changed
The commission considers the abolition Of the
post Of commander in chief 70 be imperative.
and It urges the divorce OF the administrative
from the executive department.
The Inspector general Is TO be appointed for
i've years. His sole function. aided by a stan.
is to report upon facts without expressing
opinions on policies
The COMMITTEES reported with unusual prompt
ness. Sir George sydenham Clarke. Governor of
Victoria, one Of the members Of the committee
srrived In England on December 80. while the
report is dated January IS
II Is understood that all the necessary changes
will be carried out with the least possible delay
after obtaining the formal consent OF Parlia-
rnent Where It Is necessary. the report is most
practical and buslnessllke. II says II is 'neces-
sary to make a complete breach with the past,
and endeavor to reconstituts the War Ofice
with a single eye to the effective training and
preparation Of the military forces for war: and
again Il says: The object shall be TO secure for
the British Empire. with the least possible de-
rangement Of the existing machinery. the I'm
mense advantages which q general stat con-
ferred upon Germany"
Contrasting the efficiency OF the Admiralty
with the ineficiency OF the War once, the re-
port complains that the War once has no
thinking department"