The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-07-15
SATS ENGLAND IS UNPREPARED
Lord Roberts Delivered Hot Speech
on Their Military Protection.

Lord Roberts Delivered Hot Speech
on Their Military Protection.
London. Field Marshal Lord Rob
erts created q sensation in the house Of
lords Monday evening when in lengthy
and well considered speech he deliber-
ately Expressed his opinion a. a praci-
teal soldier that the military force Of
Great Britain was inadequate. imper-
feotly trained and totally unflt 10 mp
hold Great Britain a. q first class
power.
Lord Roberts did NOT blame the gov.
eminent. which. he said, was actuated
by q national feeling. but he scathingly
attacked the people Of England. who,
he said, showed no antional feeling to-
ward the military until danger arose.
Then. said Lord Roberts, the soldier
was the pet Of the people. but this was
only an evanescent enthusiasm which
did not entail self sacrifice and passed
away as soon a. the danger disap-
peared.
The speech was delivered In oonnsc-
ton whit a motion introduced by the
Earl Of Wemyss and March (consarva.
tive) traversing Premier Balfour' =
statement regarding the impoasibilisy
OF the invasion Of Great Britain and
urging the necessity Of keeping up
Sufficient mad forces to repel any posS-
ibls invasion
Lord Roberts said the lessons Of the
South African war had been forgotten.
He had no hesitation in saying that
the armed forces Of Great Britain a. a
body were now a. absolutely united
and unprepared for war a. they were
when the South African trouble broke
ont.
He declared emphatically that the
choice lay between CONSUMPTION or
some practical System Of universal
training. and that only BY such means
would il bo possible for Great Britain
to possess armed forces organized and
trained 70 meet the demands Of the
empire In the event Of war.
Lord Roberts. continuing, asserted
that any discussion Of Great Britain e
military position within the limits Of
the motion proposed by tho Earl Of
Wemyss and March would Be entirely
unavailing. The country had 10 deal
with q question Of infinitely great i'm.
portAnce, the question Of the life or
death OF the empire. tho issue Of which
depended upon Great Britain bainR
ready TO defend her eastern possessions
and ct the same time take part In any
affair nearer home. either Of which
necessitated the placing In the Geld Of
an army a. large and efficient a. that
Of any Of the European countries, all
Of which might BE- regarded a. nations
in arms
Every other European country ro-
garded its army a. part Of the natisn,
while England considered her army 10
DO something quite outside Of the nat.
ionAl life and no thought was bestowed
upon il By the civil population except
as part Of a political and partisan plat
form. He appealed 10 the country to
awake to its danger and 10 take hold
Of the army IS great national issue
on which the existanec Of Great Brit
ain depended. He said the whole en-
pire must rise 10 ths occasion and that
every one must personally bear a share
in the defense 20 snsble those TO whom
responsibility was delegated to become
in all respects efficient
The discussion Of the motion contin
ued for some time. the speakers com.
Phmenting Lord Roberts for the Stand
be had taken.
The government decided not 10 OPP
pose the motion Of the Earl Of Wsymss
and March, which was passed with a
division.