THE NEW ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 77, 24 December 1907, Page 7

THE NEW ARMY.

IMPROVED FITTING UlflT. ~ ,•'■;■;..; - : ;MR. HALDANE'S CLAIMS. [\ 'WORK OF THE SPECIAL RESERVE.' ■ |IT ■ IELEGEAPn-.—PBESS , ASSOCIATION— COPYRIOUT. , .-./ 'i:::x : 'v' (Rec, Dec.',23, 9.56 pirn.)" ( v ' . ,\;, - . London, December 23. • Mr.-Haldano, Minister for War, speaking aV'Edinburgli, stated: that King jdward on Friday,'had. given his assent.to the biggost _• Array; Order passed for years. The special .-.;■ reserve ■■will, bo ;completed- in August,' and then /'the'.six'. divisions: of-'the. first line or . " striking", forco will bo provided with.all essentials' for a long campaign. . 'When the now Army Ordor has done its irorlf, tho Army ;will have behind the fightIng lirib: machinery which, his advisors de- -: ■■ clored,.' would , add. 100 per cent, to' its 1 efficiency'as a fighting unit.. The cost, would , be'slightly less than before. : ''■: . .-, ' ; . .'The scheme of army reorganisation provides for:—(1)' A field force or: "striking" force of ? !about '160,000 men, in six divisions, to bo ready; to go'anywhero arid .do anything at a few 'days' notice; (2) 'a special reserve of '•' 75,000 men'boliind-tho field force, which will . supply" drafts ,to , meet the wastage in war, especially during .-the'first six months of war, when the territorial army is completing its training;'• (3) the territorial force, . chiefly, voluntary, of 300,000 Militia, Volunteer*,' and Yeomanry, fourteen divisions, partially -. ■■■trained;.*... Tho Minister, >is speaking bf Nos. 1 and' 2. ..Besides filling-wastago in war, the '. special .reserve may also be ' drawn., on, on mobilisation, to supplement certain, special : ■'■ services, ■e.g., ■ for :railway, -transport, supply ■''.'••'wid ■medical work!■•,; ; , . '■~'., , . . ,