COMMISSIONS IN THE IMPERIAL ARMY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9278, 2 December 1895, Page 4

COMMISSIONS IN THE IMPERIAL ARMY.

TO THS SDITOa OT THB FRBSS. Sib,—The remarks of "PaJ; Riok" in a recent issue ot Truth are very much to the point on the snbjsct of the new army regulation for admission to the Indian Staff Corps. If ally sympathise with "Patriotic" in yonr issue of the Press of Saturday in his (or her) disappointment as affecting the prospects of a son. By the recent regulations all officers must pass through Sandhurst to geo an Indian staff appointment, on the ground that it is necessary for candidates to get a perfect military education. I would like to ask if service ia au English regiment, for a year or two, while stationed in India, is not equal to an academic course of training at Sandhurst 1 The difference, in my humble opinion, is in favour of serving in India »3 a preparation for the Staff Corps. Those educated at Sandhurst can have no experience of Anglo-Indian modes of life, or climate, and it often occurs that those men are lamentable failures, and soon disappear from the Army List. The step taken by the Home military authorities ie not one ia the intereiti el the iervice, aad ta« «ovntr

the new regulation is revoked the better. I do not think the colonies will quietly allow the matter to pass without energetic notice being taken of it. So far, the officers from the colonies have proved themselves able men and good officers, as evidenced by the fact that in more instances than one the Indian military authorities have placed them in positions of responsibility above what could be claimed by length of service. With the existence of the new regulations a complete stop will be placed on the future entry of colonial youths to the Imperial army, unless, indeed they arc blessed with a big purse, as it is almost impossible for the average colonial to live on hia pay in an English regiment. This matter it of much importance, and it is to be hoped that the colonies, through their Governments, will pro teat against the existence of so obnoxious a regulation.—Yours, 4c, CENTOBIOX