On Tuesday evening there was published in four bulky Blue-books
the evidence on which the Report of the War Stores Commission was compiled. Looking through it, we are more than ever impressed by the width and thoroughness of the Commission's inquiry. Among the documents included is a Report by the English accountants which contains many valuable suggestions for the reform of the present system in vogue at the War Office. But the most sensational disclosures are contained in the Report of the South African accountants and the evidence taken by the Special Commissioner in South Africa. The ways of the contractors are now patent to the world, and a very grimy picture it is which these papers give us. We are enlightened as to what is meant by "local purchases," and "surpluses," and "extra labour," and all the other means by which the British nation was plundered. These gentlemen had the courage of their opinions, and instructed their agents to adopt the most barefaced methods of bribery, having apparently little regard either for the honour or the intelligence of those they dealt with. Accusa- tions are made against particular officers, but judging from the Report, the Commission does not seem to have set any very high value on the allegations of the contractors. One question every reader must ask. Is it impossible to bring these civilian offenders to justice ? Some have disappeared, against others there is insufficient evidence, and some actions, dis- graceful enough, are not technically fraudulent ; but we can- not but believe that in many cases the criminal law might successfully be set in operation.
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