War Office Changes.

Evening Star, Issue 7361, 5 November 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

War Office Changes.

In the House of Commons on Septembers Mr Stanhope (Secretary for War) explained the nature of the changes to be introduced by the projected War Office reorganisation scheme. The changes would include the transfer of all executive duties to the com-mander-in-chief; the extension of the control of the finance department to all branches; the abolition of the office of SurveyorGeneral of Ordnance, the duties of the office being subdivided. The director of artillery will be transferred to the military side of the \Var Office, and will be responsible for the control and inspection of armaments, munitions, and warlike stores. There would be on the military side of the War Office, therefore, the adjutant - general as the deputy of the commander-in-chief, who would be responsible for the discipline and efficiency of the Army, and the whole control of the departments of the national force, inoluding the Pay and Intelligence Departments ; the quartermaster - general, who, would be charged with the whole of supply and transport; the director of artillery; the inspector-general of fortifications, the latter having charge of the engineering and submarine mining stores; and the military secretary, who would continue to control promotions in and appointments to the Army. These five great officers would constitute the military service, each being entirely responsible for his respective department. The general effect of these changes will be to place the primary responsibility upon the heads of the Army for the whole land defences of the country. On the civil side of the War Office the financial secretary has a chief assistant, who will have financial charge of all departments, as also the examination and audit of accounts. The functions of the director of contracts remain untouched, except that tenders for all departments would be made as open as possible. It waa further proposed that the heads of thn civil and military departments should occasionally meet in conncil, under the presidency/ of the Secretary of State, but not thereby lessening the responsibility of the latter toParliament. The new scheme will involve no increase in expenditure, but will results in greater economy and efficiency. It will come into operation on the Ist of April, 1888.