The Secretary for War brought forward the Military Estimates on
Monday, in a speech which elicited warm approval, though the total amount demanded is 2597,000 in excess of the Estimate of last year, and the number of men, 152,000, is increased by only 2,000. It consisted mainly of a clear exposition of the means taken by the Government to solidify the military defence of the country against a possible invasion. Mr. Stanhope described the precautions be had adopted to secure guns, the method of obtaining transport, the arrangements for constructing en- trenchments to be defended by Volunteers, the provision— chiefly submarine mines—for defending the ports, and the decentralisation of stores now going on, with the object of making mobilisation much more rapid. We have said enough, perhaps, of the plan elsewhere, but may mention here that it was well received, and that almost the only practical im- provement suggested was a larger employment of marines in garrisoning the ports, a suggestion to which Mr. Stanhope promised full attention. The Government propose hereafter to take an extra vote, which may possibly reach 25,000,000, for the complete reform of the barracks throughout the country, many of which have been condemned by a Select Committee. Some are inadequate, so inadequate that we pay interest on 27,500,000 for lodging allowances to the soldiers ; many are inconveniently situated, and a few are notoriously unhealthy. There will, we fear, be the usual discussion over details of expenditure ; but the vote for men was carried on Tuesday by 230 to 92, and the vote for pay and allowances, 25,004,500, was also agreed to.
Previous page
