AUSTRALIAN SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 762, 10 March 1910, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN SCHEME.

(By TelegramJ-. ,: ;v' .-. mi." ■*„"■'■ • VRoforua, Marcl 9. tv T ,¥-,/ oU ? w ? b S * a °°Py °*. of Eield-Marshal Lord Kitchener's Australian report which are embodied in his report: furnished to the New Zealand.Go? yernment on the defence of the Dominion:— •■' ■ ■ •.'■•■ , .■• ■ "i-. , PART 1.--RECOMMENDATIONS. ; STRATEGICAL CONSIDERATIONS; ' -I. .It; is. an; axiom-.held by the British Government ; that the Empire's existence depends primarily upon the' maintenance of .adequate and efficient "naval forces. As long as. this condition'is fulfilled,. and as long, as. British superiority ■ at sea is assured, thea it is an. accepted, principle tnat'no British 'dominion can. be-success-fully-and: permanently conquered by an organised, invasion.from oversea. ; ■'■' 2. But in. applying this' principle to Australasia, considerations of.'time .arid 6pace cannot be disregarded. The conduct of a great war depends upon the calculated and proper, combination of naval, mili-' tary, and/diplomatic forces; ' and it is quite';conceivable that in the future, as in, the past;.'national conside,rations riiaj require the .concentration of-British naval forces in one or other theatre of. operations. It follows that, hi seas' remote from such:: a concentration, tiio British naval forces may .find, themselves for the moment inferior in f to an actual, or potential, ■ enemy.' In "such. a situation, although our .ultimate superiority at ra. might not be a matter of doubt, some tamo must elapse, before our. command « the; sea : was definitely , ' assured 'in all ' wafers. '.It,, therefore,, becomes the duty of. .all. 'dominions to provide; a .military force, adequate, .not.only to--, deal promptly witli any at invasion, but also to; insure local safety aid;'public: ;.confideaice nitil our super-1 iority-at sea'has been decisively and comprehensively'asserted.. For this reason: it has recently been aWreed • thai the Home forces of the United .Kingdom should be so organised as to compel an enemy contemplating', an. invasion .to make tne- attampt;on.6uch;,a scale as to-be nnable to enade .oar, naval forces... The same arguments 1 apply to. Australasia, and;rtE; land be calculated im'rf organised on. this basis. . :,' -.-:■ .•; .y ■■.'- -~. '; . •'.-.

STRENGTH REQUIRED. . 8. In estimating the strength of ,the land'forces necessary to meet this require-' ment, three .principal factors 6hould. be considered— -•;•' . -v":. ■-';.'■■■•■'■ •'.•. ' .. (a) The great ocean'distances which lie. ■-between'.Australia arid,the territory ■■■'■; : .of.ahy.'.posdbleehemies,'; -. ' .-.'..-' (b) .The ; aimed'strength'.-'and.'-power of , ..', :traisportation:.ovorv,seaof: any coh- ■-'■ ceivably Hostile-nation;-'.-;•'"'." (c) The rast extent,-arid railway vcom- . '-• munication, of ■■ the■ Australian Cob : . :■ tinent,.':;which-; : covers an,-.-area■ • of. ;, 2,948,368 aiuare miles, -and possesses ■- a.oo'ast.line of 12,210 miles;'as-con- , .. basted''with the smallriess... of. its. . population, 4,375,000, souls, of which ■ ; 1,295,000. are males of a fighting age. ' i. Consideration of .".those factors, leads me to estimate the land, forces required at 80,000 fighting ..Of these numbers, half would^Be'fcetiflirecl'to secure the larger cities and defended , ports'from attack, and so to maintaiathe public confidence and national credit,- while , the other halfi'would be'free to'operate'aSl'amobile force /anyirhere' in Ausi" tralia. :,'•' V. '. ■ • -~'.'. ' ■;■,•'■ ■ -J ■■ •'■• 5.. But the best defence is generally. by~ taking the. offensive,' and there 'should therefore be no difference .in the enrol-, ment, and ecluipment of any unit.'. ■■;..i.v ■. .■;"■ ■'..■■.' ■:. ■ - : : .:'■ ..'.;■ .' ..... , ! , ,6.vThe'Dsf.enbe~ ; -Bili;'.lS(S,; which has just -been; passed, by-;the Commonwealth Parliament, gives . effect ■to • the • principle that every citizen shonld he-, trained :tb defend, his;country, 'and-1 therefore'proposeto- base 1 the'- following, advice as -to the; manner in. whichVthe.iorce'of 80,000 fighting '.men should be enrolled.organised. and trained- on , the' principle.,embodied in that: Act,- which.is designed!,to call .into existehce-a.national citizenrforce. .' . ~

7^..-In :'my ; opinion -.the forces should be organised .asi-Oi .: • ; .;W. ...:...■.'.■;■....,•', ■;';: 21 brigades : of i '.'battalians each—B4 -..' 'battalions':of , ' infaatry..' r '.':; ■',28 regiments of-light, horse. ~ ,: . ! ;49 four-gun 'field^batteries,. and ~ .i'T'four-gun heavy', and-howitzer- batV; , - : teries, .the whole;totalling 224 guns: ■' ■' 7 communication companies, and 14 ■'.: : ! '.field companies' .of. engineers.' DepaVtmental. troops ~to..be provided in proportion. ■- r: ■ .-■.> •■' : ' •: ■; B..The peace and war establishments of units are given in detail, in; tables V and VT, but rank and file may be sum-marised-as— i n . '■:• ■■•..' ' . "■■-.■ ■.'■:' ' ••■•: ':.■■:. Bank andKle. . ■ . * ..-.■' , Peace. War. Battalion..., ,750 .0»l -Eegiment of light horse ... 330 .470 -Battery .130 ,146" "9. The. peace establishment "would ,be found from the 80,000 trained. soldiers, and 'the augmentation 'to war establishment will, be provided ,by ■ the addition of the recruits and the 25-26-year men.. 10. In,this connection I. wish to explain that, while taking the; Defence Acts 1903-j 1809. as. the basis of my .'proposals, I have departed; from; the. /training - periods therein'prescribed, because"' ;. •. (a).; While the- tiaimiig is ; valuable as', a, preparation, it, can- / np'tj.in my."opinion;;.rephice recruit , . .. training, which,is a;,.necessary ,pre- • ! limitiivry,' to' the ■ production of an "■ ■ . efficient.and trained ■ citizen soldier; . ■• Tor this reason I class'the'l&-19-year . .■ .men as recruits, oyer;.'anii r above- the . • ; peace establishnient ; of '80,000 men, but liable to ho; pui; .in'' the- ranks .. -. ;'inwar. .•■:.- '.":'.■ ■■■■ , ■•' ■ ■ ' •; (b) Soldiers to beyefficient should be exercised in camp annually, otherwise the men lose the. incentive to .' hbihe training/ the habit, of working . • in. unite, of moving and living. in ■' '-.' numbers,', and of ready obedience to orders.- . „ ■•.. ' . :. XL For this reason I; advise'that camp training in time of peaceishould.be extended, • and I consider that, having regard to the. natural, military, aptitude of the favoured by the conditions of his civil life, the. training should consist of .six, clear days annually,. Lβ, from a Monday to a Saturday, inclusive, in addition:to all;home training. ; 12. I am of opinion that, if fufiy utilised under thoroughly competent officers, this training will meet requirements up to the 25th year. ; In the yeai a mnster parade wonM suffice. ' . .13. The training lequired by law, over and. above home training, would then stand:—"''..-' . ■ . ■'■ For junior cadets, 12 to 14 years—l2o hours. " ;' ■:■■.■. For senior cadets,' U to'\ : 18 years— ' ' .equivalent.to .16 days.. Eecruit, training, 18 to 19 years—l 6 days, 8 of which-to be in camp. Trained soldiers, 19 to 20 years—l 6 days, 8 of which to be m camp. 20-21 years—6 days in camp. 21-22 „ „ „ 22-23 u „ „ ; 23-24' „ „ ' "i .24-25 :„ ,• ■'„■ . ..„..- ' . • 25-26 years—Muster pa.rade O3t!y. ■ RESERVES. 14. After, which they .win'be, for the period' mentioned in Clause 60 of the Act, available as reservists. . ' . IS. On this basis the yearly quotas enrolled in. the Citizen. Eoroe would ber—

TABLE 1.-YEARLY QUOTA S ENROLLED IN THE CrTIZEN ARMY. ■"■ .■■; . ••...■■.' -s Years. £ . S ■■' I^<2 %t t $ So. IBJ9 12,500 ' 1,930 1,150 ' 15,900 1,175 19-20 ...... llisOO 1,850 1,370 15,020 1,125 20-21' ..;„. 11,200 1,750 1,320 14,270 1,075 21-22 10,700 1,650 1,240 13,590 1,025 22r23 ...... 10,200 r.COO -1,190 12,990 975 23-24 ....;. 9,800 1,500 1,130 12,4% 925 24-25 ...... 9,30(1 :1,450 1,050 11,800 875 TT., 19-25. 63,000 9,800 7,300 80,100 6,000 ' 80,100 25-26 ...... ■ 9,200 1,400 1,000 11,600 850 Note.—ln the above table an, annual wastage of 5 per cent, is allowed for mortality, medical unfitness, absence, and other casualties. - PRINCIPLES REGARDING ENROLMENT. ,' 16. The first and imperative principle for the enrolment and maintenance of these 80,000 men as an efficient Citizen Force is that the nation, as a whole, should take a pride in its defenders, insist upon.the organisation being real and' designed for war purposes only, and pro-) vide the means for properly educating, training, and equipping their officers and men.. ... . 17. Unless these requirements be met, I no military system can be devised which will be other than an illusion and a source of waste of public funds. 18. The second principle for a successful- Citizen' Force is a complement of the first. The force must be-an integral portion of the national life. The citizen should be brought up from boyhobd to look forward^to the day when he will be enrolled as fit to defend his country;and he should be accustomed to practise those, habits-of self-denial, of devotion to and' emulation in the execution of his duty, of reticence, and of prompt obedience to lawful authority, which are essential to the formation of patriotic and efficient citizen eoldiers. 19. These considerations show how completely a Citizen Force 6hould.be kept outside party politics. Political feeling in an army is always a serious drawback to efficiency, and may become a danger to the State.: , .. . ' 20. Eocruits should be drawn impartially from all portions of. the country, and from the whole, of the ;community; and upon the manner in which tie reciprocal obligations of the nation to the force and of the citizen soldier to the nation are oranght home-.to the cities, towns, and shires will depend the value of the armed strength-of Australia. '.: . ■ • REGISTRATIONAND EXEMPTIONS. 21.; The application of these principles, entails a complete and thorough registration of the youths of the country, and the. adoption of a'system whereby those moving -from one part of the country to another will be traced, and required to continue, their training. ■■ .'■■"■ 22. The question of exemptions will also arise, and in this there are, I think, two broad ■ guiding' factors—-■ •■ . ' (a) That the welfare of the family should not be prejudiced.. ' (b) That, th«"State shonH get the best ■ , men i available. ■' :• ■;....; ..■ Factor (a) points' to the exemption of those who-'are. the .sole .on'main- support of their--; family, ; such' as" the only- or, eldest son of. a widow, or.-.of a-man who is himself: incapable 'of ..earning a livelihood for, those, dependent on him. •■ .' 23.,Factor-' ,'(b)-'demands' the exclusion from the,. Citizen .Force of aH criminals, and- should restrict. ■■'the- selection of :an- ; nual,quotas to .those males, who "are physically :the fittest of their year, and' therefore the most eligible for the honour of serring-their. country. This question will, no doubt, as necessity arises, be fully considered ,fty. the Government. ;

DIVISION OF COUNTRY INTO ' "AREAS."

24. In my judgment,' the only. way to satisfactorily organise and train a Citizen Force of the nature about to be created in Australia is to divide the country into areas, irom which 'the National Force .will be drawn. Each area should be designed'to provide a definite proportion of a fighting unit, and should be. in, charge of a thoroughly trained permanent instructional officer, assisted by one.or two non-commissioned officers. '

25.. By this means a trained officer will be supplied to live permanently amongst a , definite number of the: Citizen Forces, whose military 'proficiency will' eijfirely depend-on his efforts to assist them in home-training, as ; well as in'maintaining thermilitary spirit of self-denial.and esprit de.corps'amongst'not 'only those who are under training, but also the whole community.- He will '.thus, be readily available oh all.occasions,to assist both officers '.and'men<ln his area in theiren-' deavour. to render themselves efficient defenders, of their country; and when the unit that 'he has trained: jokis its.battalion, and; the.battalion its brigade, each will be with.the other, and in this way promote a hftilthy spirit of emulation and competition, in the force;.,whicli mil foster and encourage true and real efficiency. The-estimation of. the , good services of these officers.: themselves 'will depend upon the comparison between -the units provided by the various areas. ... 26. Ten areas should form one group under: the supervision of a snuerior instructional officer, who! becomes the.brigade major in. time, of war. Similarly, each.unit would then have.a permanent instructional officer, as adjutant—the remainder taking-charge of the depots left to-supply the wastage, of the field force from -reservists. \ 27. It is obvious that the extent of.the "area" winch can be satisfactorily trained instructional officer will depend upon 'the'density of .the population, and* therefore, upon the time taken for the officer to reach the places .where the soldiers assemble for hqrae training as opportunity, offers. It is. also necessary, to fix the relation, of the "«hbs" to the unit of the force,-and- for purpose I have takan : the infantry .battafion. as, the standard to govern all. estimates. .-: :, .' 28. After consideration 'of these/ principles I have come, to the conclusion that in the cities l two,- and in : the country three, , "axeas" should-be.allowed per battalion of .infantry, with a due'proportion of other arms. . . ' 29.. In this. connection may I repeat that the whole success of tae;CrOzen 'Force, depends upon-the thoroughness and amount of the home, tramiig" under the area officer. ' ■' '■'■' . '.'." ."' ' , ■■' 30. A, project (Table II) based /on the ■information jnow available has. been propared, showing the-drrisioE of. Australia into 215 areas. If is merely an example of what might be .done, and on further investigation variations. will probably...be necessary. To these there is no objection, provided there .is no. departure from the guiding- principle that the "area" produces hs definite quota-of the force, and is-.; the sole oharge of one permanent officer. •. -.....: : THE PERMANENT rNSTftUCTtOtiAL OFFICER m CHARGE OF THE AREA. ' SL The tbrtiee of the of&eer in charge of an area would include-. — (a) The inspection of the junior cadets training in the schools. (h) .The organisation and training of the senior cadets. . (c) The enrolment, eqparpment, and training of the adult from 18 to 19 years of age. (d) The equipment, organisation, and training of the. trained soldier from 19 to 25,. years of age. (e) The supervision of. the registration, of all male inhabitants under Clause 142 of the Act OD' The maintenance of lists of males 25 to 26 years of age. who have just completed" their training. fe) Communication to other areas of all changes of residence of men under training, with particulars of their military proficiency. . (M Information regarding . the .numbers, residence, and classification of the reserve men in the areas, and the organisation and maintenance, of rifle clubs. . (i)'A. thorough acquaintance with the . iabjibitaute of }jjs axaa*

32. In all these matters, except registration and enrolment, ho would be assisted by the officers of the citizen forces of the area. . 33. Detailed instructions for the guidance of area officers should be drawn up, and should, amongst other things, require, a monthly statement from each area ' the progress made in registration, enrolment, organisation, equipment, and home training of the citizen forces under his charge. 34. The essential importance of these duties to the nation .will, make the area officer the keystone of the citizen force, whose organisation and fitness for war will chiefly depend upon the education and training received in the "area."' , 35. TTnder this .'system, it is evident that the responsibilities of the area officer, will make it a national necessity that •he should be a. carefully-selected man, thoroughly .grounded and trained in. his profession, and scientifically -educated. No social considerations, no influence, nothing but efficiency should be allowed to affect the selection and promotion of these officers. Their wort should be judged by results alone.. 36. The selection and education of suitable men ' for these instructional duties will thus be the foundation of a proficient citizen force. They should, be taken young, given a complete military education calculated to mate them good leaders, strict disciolinarians,. and thoroughly competent officers—brought up to realise that their career depends upon their ability to do their duty and on that alone. 37. In the United States of America, the Military College of .West Point sets an example of a severe and thoroughly .military training, imposed by a Democratic Government, and I should advise that Australia can only expect to produce officers of the type required by the establishment of a Military College similar in ideals, if not altogether in practice— for that will vary with national characteristics—to West Point. . .. 38. Hitherto it would have been' difficult to find, employment for the graduates, of such a primary military educational establishment, but' I have carefully examined this point, and find that now it has been decided to create a National Force, therewill be. ample posts to -tie filled by the . graduates of a Military College. ~.•.'■ , • - 39. The area officer should hare reasonable prospects of promotion, and there , must be . systematic supervision of ' his work; foT.these reasons I-have already advised that over every ten area,s a supervising officer be appointed, who would, in wbt fame, become the staff officer of the infantry brigade drawn from, his group. In'additkm, as, now, district staffs will be required in the six. military districts'of the Commonwealth, officers ' will 'be wanted for the Central . Administration and lor tho permanent troops. • .

FORMATION OF A STAFF CORPS 40.'My recpnmendatipn. is that a'Staff Cqrps i be formed to. provide. the officers tor all , these requirements, areas, district and 'headquarters staffs,.and permanent troops. •" . ■', ■ '.•'■'.. .■•,.■■■ 41. This Staff Corps should be entirely drawn from, the. Military College, and its members should further be sent abroad to study, and be attached to'.the other, land forces of the British Empire, so that-an officer of this Staff Corps would be the equal, if not superior, in military.education to the officers of any army in the world. ■ . "...•'-..■ 42. The proposed organisation cont»platcs the formation of 215 areas',- which are required to produce a fighting-force of 80,000 men. Theofficers-in' charge .of each of these areas may be of the rank of captain or lieutenant. "In addition; 22 majors will be required,-' one to, supervise every ten areas. The six district. staffs require 25 officers,, mostly of field rank; headquarters 'will'absorb 12;, the 3lilitsry College 8; and the permanent forces (on the present scale) 5.' '"" ' ' . 43. To allowifor officers being'<absent v in other British-Dominions, on- attachment to or studying other annies,\at staff colleges, on leave, etc., 6 per cent, of subalterns, captains, and majors should be added. In this way an 350 officers "for the Staff; Corps is reached, and their distribution by ranks and duties is shown 'in/Table llX'jbelojj.rrr :..■;.< ~.. TABLE " iu.-DISTRIBUTION BY RANKS AND DUTIES OF STAFF CORPS OFFICERS, J ' "■■■.. •■': ::f\.^■f ry: /.Duty..' I-3 §.3 Area Offices for- rt ° * >"..?■* 215 areas 151 61 - - -215 • In" charge of 10 ■■ - ; - ■ ' . • : . ' 'areas ~,:...........;■•.• — .•_ 22;■-:.--.'22. . Permanent forces: 28...11 ■ s : ' 3 '•'i.,48.' District,.Staff;,fbr.; : ~ :i :.Vv; ■;■','.-';' . 6' districts .' ;... —..'. 6. 10::- 6-3. 25 .Central Adminis- •'■ '■■■■■ ■ trationatHead- • ..... 'quarters ' ~'\: 1 6 '3- 2 12 Military College,:. 'l! 4. .1 !-i'-.l ;' 8 Spare for sick, ' ,■ .< . - • ■;■'• on special :'■■• . . •' . -~. 1 courses,I attach- . .'■■ ed to .other" '~'.-. ~. :. armies 10 : 4'Xβ.— -'■.—■ 20 Totals ........ . 190 90 50 13' ;7^350 iL If men of the right stamp are to be attached to the corps, the .pay of each rank must be good;.and in this connection it must be remembered, that the circumstances ;of an officer's .services pre|vent, and rightly so, Ms participation in commercial ventures.. Far the Staff Corps I to be successful, its officers, inust concentrate all their energies on' their profefr sion,; and vheir pay should,: therefore,' be sufficient not only, for their keep while serving, but also 'to insure to them a competence when retired... .;■':' Hi. In view of these conditions, I recommend rates of pay ghown in Table Iv, with the proviso that in each ranka compulsory deduction should be made, sufficient to assure an adequate provision for. maintenance-on retirement. TABLE IV.-PROPOS&O, PAY OF THE : STAFF CORPS OFFICERS. Establishment. , ' Pay. ; Biuiks , Number. Per Annum. ■ . ' : ' ■;'.: ..£ ■ £ Colonels i 7 800 to 900 ■ 13 •. 700 to' 800 Majors . ...: 50 ...'550 to 650 ;Captains ....._. 90 375 to iSO Subalterns : ~',,;, 190 250 to 350 THE MILITARY COLLEGE. . 46. I have shown" that 350-' officers are required for the.6taff corps, and I shall new discuss the organisation of a Military College..,to maintain that corps. .. 47. Taking 20 years' as the average service, of an officer, it appears that, after the staff corps is-up to establishment, the yearly output required from the college will be about 18 cadets. 'The minimnm length of course reoiiired to efficiently ground a cadet in jiis profession is three years.

. 48. As has already been pointed out, strict selection should be enforced from the,moment a boy becomes a cadet. . To allow for the necessary process of. elimination, and also ior those boys who may show proficiency for'some other branch of the public service, I advise that 30 cadets be the annual entry;, adding 10 par cent, to this number ior casualties; and the figure 33 by 3 equals 99 (say, 100) cadets is reached as the establishment of the college. . 49. The age of entry should be not less than 17 nor more than 19.. ' . . ■ 50. I. consider that the method of entry into the college should be as follows: — . ' ...... Candidates should be selected from the most capable of the senior cadets, each area officer submitting tie name of his 'best cadet to the major in charge of ten areas, who will then examine these ten cadets, and forward five names through the district headquarters, who will state their recommendations, if any, to the central administration. The latter will then select from the names received double the number required, and will refer the ultimate selection from these last to an authority, to be determined, by Government This authority might be a board of examiners, or the inspec-tor-general, or the commandant' of the collegfC ... 51.' A cadet having. joined the-eollege, his pxents should hat £££> ser annum

for board, lodging, books, clothing, ment, and instruction, except in the case of a cadet obtaining a scholarship, of which there should be 20 for the whole college. 52. Until the staff corps is up to establishment the full output from the col T lege -will be required. Once that stage is passed, or in the case of a student showing proficiency for a career other than, a military one, he might be excused from military' service on the following condition:—That (he serves and is efficient as an officer in tlie national force for 12 years, and attends training, as ' may be laid, down; and that during-..these- 12 years he will perform: any special military duty required of. him at any time by the central administration. ' 53. During the course the cadet must be kept under strict discipline, and taught to keep himself physically and mentally fit. Any. cadet, unlikely; to make an efficient officer or lacking in the personality necessary to influence and command men should be removed. ....... 54. On the completion of h'is course at the college the cadet should be given his commission,, and sent either to India for a winter training, i.e., October to April, or to the United Kingdom for-a summer .training, i.e., April to October, as an attached officer ■ to a .British regiment On return he should do one year's duty under the best instructional officer.available in an area, in order to learn how best to conduct registration and to promote borne training in the area. He should then be fully capable-to take over charge of an area. . . . 55. It will be evident 1 that the director , of such a college must'be a man of exceptional qualifications, well .educated, and accustomed to do his duty fearlessly and thoroughly. He should.be supplied with two assistant directors- and an adjutant, of. similar qualifications to himself, and a-staff, of professors to teach the curriculum, which > should be based on that of West Point. Prom the estimatesat. the end ,of-this, part.it will be seen.that the establishment and cost of such a;.college, when in full working order, will be .£15,050. ' . ■ ■ ■ 56. Any political interference with the management of such institution, in which disciplinary training forms an important part, and the efficiency of which is so. essential to' the. defence of Australia, should be strictly avoided. '