Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-11
The British Crisis
His britannia
Majesty's Army.

more than 81 5OoOoOoo0 Of treasure.
The inefficacy of the British regular
army was proved in the Boer war. Ever
since that time the imperialistic party in
Great Britain has been demanding
greater army. During the past year, under
the Influence OF the German scare. this
demand has swelled into great chorus
which threatens to drown out an other
questions except those concerned with the
navy.
The territorial forces. an organized mill
Tia Of a nominal strength Of 10000 and
having 10000 effective mers Is the con-
crete result OF this agitation. But the
voluntary enlistment principle has been
preserved intact. The territorials are en-
listed only for home defense and may not
be used except in the British Isles. They
are I'm fact. a militia organised for the
purpose Of repelling an invader should
the navy fail to preserve the inYiolahility
OF British shores. The territorials may be
compared to the militia I'm those American
states whose national guard Is rated as
first class They have a certain amount
OF regular drin work. some special iustruc-
ton. and must spend several weeks each
year in maneuvers The territorials are.
however, much more closely related to the
regular army than the American militia.
NlAcn NefFAAuIlAl DISQUALIFICATION - NehhtAN~A
with some regiment Of regulars and the
men have the benefit OF Instruction from
regular army officers
The Boy Scouts are another result
Of the German scare. They are young
BOYS in school who volunteer to submit
to a certain amount OF military discipline
and training They correspond TO the
high school corps OF American cities ex-
cept that General Baden-Powell has APP
pealed to boy nature by substituting a
khaki uniform and combination OF wild
west and South African scout drills for
the more formal and exacting dress and
duties of a cadet.
The territorial volunteers. the Boy
scouts. the Girl Guides" and the Imper-
iaiist agitation generally has had the effect
OF awakening a patriotic interest in the
army which Britain never before has pos
sessed. Mr.. Kipling's scolding is no longer
needed. The English are frightened and
they are enthusiastic about their army.
In spite Of popular excitement. however,
the so-calIed Blue Water school maintains
the ascendancy and Britain relies upon its
navy to save It from invasion. This i'm
| plieit trust in the navy il probably the only
4 reason why compulsory military service has
/ not been adopted. II the Conservative
/ party should again come into power Il Is
probable that some system OF universal
| service will be instituted.
The British army is quite small. it's regu-
/ lar force at home and abroad. exclusive OF
/ India amounting only to- 10000 men, or
/ about twice as many the American
/ standing army. At least 1890 OF these
men are required for garrison duty abroad.
/ The regular establishment in India COM
prises about 1900 white men. The native
army is more than 1150o0 strong Including
the colonial militlas. the army reserves. the
Territorials. and all other forces composed
OF white men. the total strength Of the
British army is sS0OOO men Making similar
lnclusions. Germany has more than 4.OO00OO
soldiers. and has practically all Of them at
home.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland. ever since the Boer war has spent
( from S125. 10000 to S140.O00OOO a year on its
army. practically the same as is spent by
the United states. But India also spends
S100.OOO,OOO a year on the army. and other
parts OF the empire eNpend SaO.oOOOOo. IL
! the entire British army Of $4,000 men,
British and native Indian. be considered.
the annual cost is $500, 10000; or more than
S100.OOO.OOO a year more than Germany
spends to maintain its immense military es-
tablishment
Compulsory universal service and small
pay to the officers and men enables Ger
many TO maintain its vastly superior army
at only twO-thirds Of the cost OF the tn
ferior British army Ii Great Britain mus,
fight Germany for its life and empire II
hehooves the British TO be more economical.
This argument is the greatest weapon in
the hands of the lmperialistic military
party in its attack upon the time-honored
British notion Of a volunteer army.
BX EHEDHRIC ]. HAsKIM.
Tomorrow - The British Crisis. VIZ
The Fear OF Competition.