An order recently issued by the War Office reducing the
Horse Artillery by four batteries has greatly disturbed the minds of many officers, and a memorial against the reduction, addressed to the Secretary for War, has been signed by no less than 117 military Members of the House of Commons. Mr. Stanhope on Tuesday acknowledged their remonstrance in a tone of respect, but pointed out that the reduction did not diminish the effective strength of the Army. With the saving thus effected, the War Office could increase the Field Artillery, which is deficient, and the Garrison Artillery, and even make same provision for ammunition columns. Moreover, the proportion remaining of Horse Artillery would still be greater than is usual in the best Continental Armies. He also quotes from a memorandum by "one of my most distinguished military advisers," strongly supporting the reduction, on the ground that the Field Artillery is a much more useful force, and that in the change we are giving up only something of the pomp of war. The "fighting
value of the military machine is increased." The question is one for experts, rather than politicians ; but the answer appears to be final, though outsiders are apt to feel that, after so many wise changes, we ought to be much nearer the possession of an Army than we are.
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