The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-21
COMBINE FORCES
!. TO FIGHT PERIL
Lord Roberts and Admiral
Bcresford Lead in Vigor-
Gus Campaign.
METHODS NOT CONSERVATIVE
Appeal Directly TO People for
Improvement OF Military and
Naval Establishments.
ny ED l.. KEEN.

Especial Cable to The Timcs-Dispatch.)
London. January 2o-England's
most famous soldier and her dis
tingutshed sailor--Lord Roberts and
Admiral Observation-Disclosures combined
forces in q vigorous campaign for the
Improvement OF hvr military ana naval
establishments. The text OF both is
preparedness" and each has drawn
on the recent Anglo German crisis for
arEunentatlve material,
The American idea OF British con-
servatism Is somewhat rudcly upset by
ahe methods employed by these war
yiors In calling the public's attention
TO what they term the nations peril"
Although they are members of Iarlia-
e1ent-Roherts III the Lords and Deres-
ford in the Commons--they have evil
IDENTIFY dcspaired OF forcing their con-
SIctions home through the medium OF
the legislative body, and are appealing
directly 10 the peoplc-Bcrcsfoid In
publ!o speeches and Roberts by means
OF newspaper articles. They seem de-
fermired that England shall continue
In S state of war scare" until ade-
auate measures are taken 10 insure
British triumph in the event OF
clash with Germany. Incidentally.
they are stirring up lively muss III
British oficialdom.
Beresford has apparently taken the
Aeenest delight in pointing on, the adj
nlnistrative sins OF Reginald Nc
kenna, who was First Lord OF the Ad-
n.iralty last summer when, as a naval
officer recently iold me, I'VE were
within twenty minutes OF war with
Germany" 1t is low generally ad
uittcd that Mckenna's transfer to the
Home Once. and his replacement at
the head OF the navy by Winston
Churchill, WAS due Girect!.' to BGres-
fcrd's exposure OF the total lack OF
naval preparedness at that time. But,
the admiral was not content with
busting McIl emma. he has been rubbing
it IN OH every available occasion since.
Alck emma iEally became prcvish, and
in private letter u his politica!
agent in his home constituency he said
some things about Bertsiord that
didn't look at all nice when the we'll
meaning, but ill-advised agent allowed
shem to get into print. Fortunately.
the agent retained the original copy
of the letter which, in response 10
frantic Geographic appeals from his
chef when the latter read the even
Ing papers. he returned TO the Home
Secretary. Now, nobody can prove
just what IL said, but those who aaw
1t swear that Mckenna declared Bcrcs
ford WAS merely trying to get even
because Mckenna had refused TO APP
Kcnna sti:i mas the letter--.f nc
hasn't burned il.
Roberts is enjoying q similar run
In with Lord Madame. the v az Sccrr-
fary. After his lordship read Roberts $
latest broadside in the Times, point
aRs out how utterly uupreparcd for
serious conflict the. country Is 1T the
prcscn, time ni%lane .setor,cd, in a
public speech. III" Inc effect that
Tohcrts's ideas had been very thor
oughly considered by the Defense
Com,nittse ana that the naval rncm-
hers Of that body were quite unan!-
snous In their opinion that military
mon were amateurs on matters con.
nrCtcd with the navy. Then he pro.
rcedcd to show. though no tsayinS II II
50 many words, that fiohcrts was li,tl,
Detter imam an amateur as regard:
rrmy affairs.
Here are some of III. shortening!
fhat Roberts has been charging. Th,
british army rifle is inferior to tina
Of either the French or the German
The point blank range Of the latter i.