EMPIRE'S FORCES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 587, 16 August 1909, Page 7

EMPIRE'S FORCES.

MOBILISATION PLANS. WORK FOR KITCHENER AND FRENCH. ■ MEDITERRANEAN CX)M&LUM). (By Telcßrapb.-Preaa A??ocletlon.-Oqpyrlirht.l . London, August 13. Mr. R, B. Haldarie, Secretary of Stato for War, replying in tho House of Commons to a question, by Mr. W. W- Ashley.(Unionist member for Blackpool), regarding Lord Kitchener's Mediterranean post, said- the discussions at the Defence Conference shewed that an opportunity existed for a bettor and more comprehensive organisation of Iho military forces of tho Crown, wherever stationed. . ■"'.'.' It had become evident, said the Minister, that there was more work to do locally than, could be done at headquarters, therofore it was important that the various subdivisions of the whole problem of Imperial defence should be studied on the spot by officers of high standing and wide experience, with' time at their disposal to fully consider ii'o questions involved. Moreover, in the case of tho Mediter* ranean command there was the inspection of the regular troops throughout the military statione and in. Africa, and the giving of military advice to the local authorities, 'It , was impossible at present, concluded Mr, • Haldane, to foresee or define the extent to which such duties might expand in Wie j future,'and so modify the situation. There were .large possibilities of work and reorg*n,i-( sation opening themselves up.

PLANS"FOR UNIFYING.

CONCENTRATION WHEREVER ■WANTED. (Rec. August 15, 5.55 p.m.) London, August 14. Speaking at Bradford, the Scoretary for War, Mr. Haldane, referred to tho lmporial Dofenco Conference, and said ho was glad to announce that there were plans more than within sight for unifying the forces throughout tho Empire.

It was not for nothing that Lord Kitchener was going to Australia and New Zealand, and then assuming tlio command in tb.e Mediterranean, with tho duty of organising the troops in Africa, and tho still larger duty of working out plans for the necessary concentrations in case tho Empire was attacked. Wherever might bo tho theatre of a future war —whether in Australia, Africa, India, or Britain —the forces of tho Empire .would bo so organised ae to ehablo them to be concentrated.

The Minister added that.General Sir John French, Inspector-General of tho Forces, was going to Canada to work out plans there.

CONFERENCE NEARING CONCLUSION. London, August 13 Tho committoes of naval and military experts appointed to assist tho Imperial Defence Conferenco are apprqaching the end of their "deliberations, Tho next plenary meeting of the Conferenco will bo hold next wook. It is officially stated that arrangements of a satisfactory nature with regard to Australia are in process of completion.