The sun., 1919-08-13
ECONOMIES PLEDGED
BY BRITISH CABINET
Churchill Says Force on Rhine
Would Be Cut to Brigade
in October.
PEACE DELAY COSTLY
Announces Government Plans
to Return to Principle Of
Small Voluntary Army.

By the Associated Pres.
LONDON, Aug. 12.-In the House OF
Commons tonight the Ministers had to
listen to strong criticism of the extrava-
gance of the Government in the matter
Of armaments, but Winston Spencer
Churchill. Secretary for War. in a gen.
eral defence OF the Government said he
vas able to promise considerable re-
trenchment In this direction. His speech
betrayed that the Government was en-
deavoring. so far as possible, to meet the
popular demands for greater economy.
Major-Gen. ]. z. B. Seely, Under Sec-
rotary for Air, made the effective point
that the efficient air force q saved
the country millions in money and
thousands In lives this year in connection
with the troubles in A~fghanistan and
out at slight cost as compared to the
aforetime heavy cost in money and life
in similar campaigns conducted by Lords
Roberts n Wolseley.
The Right Hon. Sir Frederick Ban
bury, Cnionist, argued that the people
would never economize while seeing Min
listers riding about in expensive auto
mobiles at the nations expense.
The Right Hon. George Lambert.
Liberal, challenged the Government to
say what 1t considered the peace time
oHk OL III LII lOICo hhcAy W bct
and when the colossal expenditure on
military adventures abroad would cease
He declared the Government a lost
the confidence of the country by the huge
expenditures in every Government de-
partment.
Mr.. Churchill, defending the Govern
ment, said hat II was beginning to re-
gain control over expenditure. The lat
ter, however, was still dependent upon
military commitments abroad, the Min
lister continued. but already It had been
arranged with France that by the end
Of October the British forces on the
Rhine may be reduced to a single strong
brigade. including an air force Of a sin
gle squadron.
eac Delays Hinder Cuts.
The delayed peace with Turkey and
Bulgaria n the position In Mesopota-
mia prevented immediate reduction of
the league forces, while the Irish execu-
tive was strongly opposed to reducing
the Irish garrison.
THE Government is making earnest
inquiries whether II is not possible by
free employment of armored cars and
swift tanks and a judicious arrangement
OF railways and airplanes to greatly re-
duce " armies In these regions" Mr..
Churchill declared. He was hopeful that
II might thus be possible to reduce the
costly British forces by half.
Mr.. Churchill argued. however, against
aholishing the framework of the anti
aircraft organization on the ground that
no form of attack could more easily or
secretly be prepared than an air attack.
He contended that instances Of mud
Gle and mismanagement were remark
ably few, considering the volume of
business, and said that despite mistakes,
waste and muddles the Government was
overcoming troubles in a manner to
challenge comparison with any other
belligerent. not excluding America. Elk
penditure on offences was IN the hands
OF Parliament, which could ~stipulate the
! amount 1t desired to spend and leave the
War Office to do its best Herewith.
By next year, the War Minister con-
tinued. there would be only two great
nations In the world free from con-
scription, Great Britain and Germany,
and only one of those voluntarily free.
Even the United States was embark
Ing or a policy of CONSUMPTION. These
were sombre facts.
The British policy. he asserted, was
to return to the principle OF the small
pre-war voluntary army. subject only
to such improvements and notifications
as the war had taught. The presen,
day cost of such an army, according &c
an estimate submitted to him, but
which he was not yet prepared to &C.
cept. Mr.. Churchill said. would be be.
tween sixty-fve and seventy-iye. million,
yearly. In addition. there was the
question Of g~arrisoning. the newly &C,
Quired M~esopotamia and Palestine.
Airmen Must Retrench.
NIrtAL $500.
Churchill declared he had instructed
Major-Gen. Sir Hugh Trenchard. Chic
OF the Royal. Air STAFF. that he mus
Professionally frame his scheme within
the limits of twenty-five millions yearly
which was equivalent to about lively,
millions in pre-war days.
Mr.. Churchill said he held mos
strongly that a resolute and earnest eff
fort must be made to economize, even |
such economy involved the abandon
ment OF cherished schemes. The risks o
the financial situation were such tina
risks in other directions must be faced
A reduction of expenditures would onl,
bo o~btainable by ~discharglng officers an,
men from the army and air force a
quickly as the situation allowed. Ever,
effort would be made to obtain decisions
OF world policy which were necessary be
fore the Government could proceed upoI
It's path.
Mr.. Churchill said he believed tina
four or Ave years hence It would b
found the best course for the arme
forces of the crown would be to aim a
scientific rogress and quality. rattle
than at mere numbers or instant readi
ness for action. He fully agreed will
the House that reduction In the cost Q
ornaments was the first need Grea
Britain had TO face. but declared that h
would not himself become responsible,
for maltreatment OF the army during tn
years which followed Immediately on tn,