Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-25

to be In personal command Of the army,
the Office of captain general and subse-
Quent1y OF cOmmander-in-chief was usually
filed by the sovereign's brother, or the
sovereign's first favorfte, but when the of
flee was established in It's present form in
1893 1t meant that the king had given UP
his historic claim to command the army in
person. 1t meant also that in all matters
relating to the internal discipline and regu-
1ation of the army the royal pleasure would
henceforth be communicated, not by the
secretary of war. but by the commander-in-
chief. In this way was created the dual
control OF the army at the Horse Guards
side by side with the war office. In view of
the inefficiency which has resulted from
the dual control there is something appro-
PIRATE In the kings determination to sweep
the office associated with the royal prerog-
alive clean out of existence
Lengthy consideration is necessary be-
fore the full import of the change can be
apparent, but first impressions are distinct
the most likely effort so far to bring about
That decentralization which has come to be
recognized as the vital principle of a huge
organization such as the British army. 1t
is thought that 1t will also give the death
blow to outside influence, factor which
has always been one of the most hurtful
70 military efficiency For the first time in
BRUSH history there will be something like
logical system co-ordinating army and
navy. "A board will administer each, and
above both boards will be a common COM
mlttee, and above 1t the prime minister.
This is a great advance, which in itself
1ustifies the appointment Of the committee.
War Office Agreed.
1t was not until late on Thursday that it
was resolved to publish Immediately the re-
port OF the committee. It appears that on
wednesday Lord Esther. having been sum-
moned to Windsor by the king, made full
report to his majesty, and the king having
gone thoroughly through the report, sug-
gested to Lord Esher on the following day
its immediate publication, and it was placed
In the printers hands accordingly
In the meanwhile, however, it had been
ascertalned definitely that Earl Roberts
was In thorough agreement with the main
point OF the report, and that, so far from
ohering any opposition, the commander-in-
chIeI nad shown himself prepared to re-
sign his high office as soon as it may suit
the convenience of the government of the
country In other words, Earl Roberts
wouio nave been, and is, quite willing to
give 10 the country the benefit of his time
and services as long as thew NAV he re-
CURED, but at the same time he is DESTROYS
10 De relieved from his duties as soon as
the hlghest authorities deem it convenient
nose VINO nave had an opportunity of
gong over the course laid by the German
automobile Club for this years Gordon
bennett race are loud in praise of the nat
ural beauty of the scenery through which
II passes. But for the competitors the road
OF course Is the thing, and in this respect
also reports are very Favorable. The course
is just over 139 kilometers long and will
De traversed four times in order to make
the race. "a
The surface is said to be excentionaIlv
GOOD. and the width of the road varies from
twenty feet to forty feet. The balance of
gradients is on the whole against the cars.
ene steepest nil in the course having
1Iar, I-11
In eight to one in nine There are some
awkward corners, and many of these will
De done away with by the German club.
anu the curVlng roads will, as far as pos
slbie. be Strengthened out.
Gordon Bennett Auto Race.
The starting point is : at the Castle of
Saalburg, about three miles from Homburg
ana the course passes through some twenty
small towns and villages while at some
places small railway level crossing has TO
De negotiated. But it is understood that the
train service will be stopped on the day of
the race. and roadbed made perfectly level
NOT the least interesting places on the
course is Coonberg. where was situated the
COVER mouse or castle in which the late
Empress Frederick frequently resided and
where she died.
Inc motor car industry. which has in
seven years grown to it's present dimen-
SONS. is one of the phenomena of latter day
ihoustr1al development and its remarkable
growth will be reflected in the great auto
mobile show which opens at the Crystal
Palace, a fortnight hence Four rniIes of
automobiles will be on view, the exhibits
including pleasure vehicles, business vebi-
cles. steam lorries. motor boats motor
buses, motor cycles. motor agricultural i'm
p,ements. ana that ever growing class COM
Never before has so huge and fine a coll
lecuon peen assembled under one roof not
even In Paris. where the industry was
nourishing before its birth in this country.
" the 24o firms to whom the 10000 square
rect OF space have been tallotted British
nrms are In large majority.
The two Wednesdays on which the show
VIII pc open have been specially set apart
FOR the upper ten of antomobiIism and
among well-known members of society who
have promised to visit the show is Mr..
Balfour. On February 49, the members of
the Ladies' Automobile Club will motor
Gown to sydenham In body from their
Headquarters in the West5End. and during
the afternoon will hold an "at home" in
the spacious apartment reserved for them
IN the great glass structure.
A Soldiers Song Book.
A new departure by the British war office
might perhaps be initiated with good results
In America. 1t is the publication of Sol
der Song Book" 1t will be a very inter-
esting production, as many leading COM
posers have been invited to contribute to
the collection.
One item. the song composed by Mr.
Hamish McCunn. and written by Capt
Basil Hood. which has been introduced by
permission into the latters comedy Love
In a Cottage" just produced at Terrys
Theater. affords an indication of the quality
of the work
The scheme originated with Lord Roberts
who considered that, seeing the great in
huence Mr.. Kipling's barrack-room ballads
had exerted In the service. military ardor
might be increased by compilation in
which the best musical talent of the coun-
try had been employed in conjunction with
writers possessing the gift of inspiring
verse. II will be interesting to observe the
attitude of the song pirates towards the
publication. and of the government should
the war Office copyright be violated
l.. H. MOORE