Mr. Haldane's Memorandum on the Army Estimates was issued last
Saturday. The total stands at £27,465,000, showing a decrease of £24,000 as against the figures fot 1908-9. This result has been brought about by the withdrawal of troops from South Africa and the revision of the charge upon India for the upkeep of the British Army, by which the War Office profits to the extent of £300,000. On the other hand, the growth Of the Territorial' Army accounts for an increase of £355,000, and pensions, loan annuities, and the pay of the Army Reserve demand an extra £150,000. A new system has been adopted for the provision of men for the Field Artillery, and six howitzer batteries equipped with the new quick-firing howitzer will be added to the Field Army. The figures relating to the health of the Army show a remark- able and gratifying lowering of the death and invaliding rates for India and the Colonies. The Memorandum also deals with the enlistment of men from the Territorial Force for the Special Reserve to supplement the personnel of the Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps,—a much-debated innovation. The paragraphs relating to the progress of the Territorial Army formed the text of Mr. Haldane's statement in the House on Friday.
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