Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-09
Is Down in the Estimates
for $|5o,ooo,O0O.
The Navy Able to Thoroughly
Protect the Coast Line
And Some Defelcss viii Be- Abaniolot aDo
Army Perhaps Decreased.

| LONDON, March SIN introducing the
army estimates, amounting to nearly
$loo,OOO,o00, in the House OF Commons
| this afternoon, War Secretary Hald.
ahe announced at the outset that the
Liberals did not desire to destroy the
army, but required greater efficiency
at less expenditure. The government
accepted what he denominated as the
Blue water" principle, namely, that
the army at its present strength was
| capable of defending Great Britain
from invasion and though this strong
navy was a costly thing, it was very
useful as 1t made it possible to cut of
much of what otherwise would be
necessary army expenditure.
In pursuance of this principle Of de-
pendence on the navy it had been de-
cided that the ammunition stores con.
structed for the defence Of London
were unnecessary and would immedi-
ately be rooted up, some 500 guns
mounted for defence purposes at va
rious points along the coast would be
swept away, the troops at Wei Hal
Wei, China, would be Withdrawn and
some colonial garrisons would be re.
duced. These changes did not involve
an enormous sum, but marked the be-
ginning of economy. ~
The British army which was required
for oversee purposes must be Of a high
quality which was not Obtainahlo
through CONSUMPTION and should be
strictly limited in dimensions. The size
of the army depended chiefly on poll
icy and Mr.. Haldane wished the ma.
tions would consider together wheth-
er a reduction could not be made in the
armament burden which was pressing
on every civilized nation,
Continuing, the war minister said he
thought that the northwest frontier Of
India was no longer endangered and
later he pointed out that Great Brit
am was not alone in spending enor-
nous sums for the army. He instanced
Germany and France and added:
THE United States is a very efficient
nation and confines itself to a regular
army of 10000 men. Nevertheless that
army costs close to Sis, o00, 0O0."
Explaining the increase of $685. 1O, 900
In the cost of the army at present COM
pared with the cost in 1896, the war Sec
rotary said the personnel then was
156,I74 while now it was 204. 100. In 1896
soldier cost 1915. but now the cost
now was s242o, compared with $2250 in
1896. He also explained the Increases in
the cost of the army reserve militia,
yeomanry and volunteers. In South AZ.
rlca alone, he pointed out, the number
Of troops had been increased by $4,000
and each soldier there cost $3.50 per
year.
Great Britain, said the war minister,
will never he able to reduce her strik-
ing force without providing some pow
er Of expansion behind 1t at home. He
suggested az possible devise of a sys-
tenn of dividing the period of training
into two parts; one preliminary and
elastic, giving men the elements Of
military training and the other re-
served for the period following an out
break of hostilities, which would be de-
voted to more severe training. But all
training must be voluntary Anything
like CONSUMPTION would defeat its mer-
its and the training should be decen.
and local government, Of. the people
themselves. Then no government would
go to war unless the people supported
them.
Tho secretary announced that by
March 81 two army corps at home will
have been completely re-arIned, the In
fartry receiving the short rife, which
experts had declared to be the best
weapon. a.. .....