CANADA'S DEFENCE SYSTEM.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 893, 12 August 1910, Page 5

CANADA'S DEFENCE SYSTEM.

« REORGANISATION SCHEME; FORECAST OF GENERAL FRENCH'S REPORT. MANY CHANGES NEEDED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rcc. August 11, • 9.50 p.m.) London, August 11. Tho Toronto correspondent of "The Times" says it is understood that tho, as yet, unpublished report of General Sir John French,' Inspector-General of the Forces, on his recent official visit to Canada; urges: Firstly, that thero should bo a definite and national peace organisation of the Militia, which should bo the same as that intended for war, and ready to take tho field forthwith in the event of war. Secondly, that better-qualified staffs should be provided for tho brigade divisions. Thirdly, that the present annual training is wholly inadequate. Tho correspondent also states that tho report proposes that a divisional organisation should be-adopted, despite local influences, instead of the' present system of; military districts. General' French further suggests that the following should bo the annual periods of camp training rArtillery 21 days. Cavalry 16 „ Infantry 12 „ The report states that there is good material in tho Militia, but better-quali-fied officers are required. The city regiments devote over-much time to ceremonial parades. : POOR ATTENDANCE AT CAMPS. (Rec. August'll, 11.20 p.m.) Ottawa, August 11. The attendance at tho Militia camps in Canada this year is only 40,000, instead of the normal 50,000. The shortage is owing to the general prosperity and tho plenitude of employment. \ Tho Government of Canada is now carrying out the policy propounded by Lord Dundouald of a great citizen soldiery at a cost of .£1,200,000 per annum. The Canadian Militia consists of threo classes—tho permanent, the activc, and the reserve. The permanent force includes 1000 men. The Active Militia numbers about 54,000 of all ranks, whoso term of service is three years, and who drill for two weeks each year. The Reserve includes all tho remaining citizens between the ages of 16 and 45. Since 1004 a Militia' Council has been organised, after the pattern of the Imperial Army Council. The officers are trained at tho Iloyal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, the operations of which General French has previously been stated to bo in favour of extending considerably.