BRITAIN'S ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 5

BRITAIN'S ARMY.

AERIAL PROBLEMS.

OFFICERS FROM THE RANKS,

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

By Telegraph—Preea Association—Oopyriglit London, March 10.

Colonel Secly, Secretary of State for War, speaking in tho'Houso of Commons, said the War Office proposed to establish seven squadrons of eighteen aeroplaues each. Zeppelins were not required, because the Army was an expeditionary one. Great Britain, he said, possessed tho best aeroplanes in the world. One biplane this week averaged a speed of over ninety-one miles per hour. Tho problem of slow flying was much more important than that of speedy flight. One of Britain's aeroplanes was able to fly at eighty miles an hour, and rcduco its speed to forty. Since May last Army officers had flown 82,000 miles in 1550 hours. The exaggerated difficulties of hitting an aerial target had been overcome, and high-angle fire was now possible with ease and accuracy, removing the dread of airships.

A number of young soldiers would bo recommended for commissions after the completion of their threo years' service, receiving ,£lsl towards their outfit, and ■£50 per annum for their first three years as lieutenants. A sligfht increase of pay would also to immediately extended' to all 'officers. The 'allowances to enable tho officers promoted from the ranks to live on their pay would absorb .1150,000. Tho rank of second lieutenant would bo abolished. The Minister said he regretted that the Territorials were below strength, but he did not fear an overwhelming invasion, and therefore it was unnecessary to ask tho country to fill the 16 per cent, deficiency. Tho Imperial Defcnce Committee would shortly consider tho whole question. Colonel Seely announced that Mr. Balfour had accepted Mr. Asquith's invitation to join the committee.

PARLIAMENT AND DEFENCE POLICY. London, March 19. Mr. Philip Morrell, Liberal M.P. for Burnloy, has tabled an amendment demanding that tlio Government shall not accept any defence scheme without first obtaining (ho approval of tho House of Commons. . BRITISH CADET MOVEMENT. \(Rec. March 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, Marcli 20. The Imperial Cadet Association Conference at tho Guildhall has recommended the adoption of tho Dominions' plan of universal training, and also that tho Army Council and tlio education authority should jointly direct tho cadot movement, and provide uniforms and serviceable weapons^