THE DEFENCES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Evening Star, Issue 7613, 16 May 1888, Page 2

THE DEFENCES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

— [By Eleoxbio Telegraph—Copyright.] [Per Press Association.] London, May 14. In the House of Lords to-day Lord Wolscley admitted that the Hon. Mr Stanhope, during his administration of the War Office, had much improved the condition of the defences of the country, although, in his opinion, the defence system was still unsatisfactory both at home and abroad; and he (Lord Wolseley) was unable to guarantee the safety of London in the event of an attack. He regretted that the expression of his opinion as to the defectiveness of the defence of the country should have brought on him the censure of the Premier ; and said that he was prepared to tender his resignation to the War Office. Lord Salisbury said he felt bound to adhere to his former remarks as to the impropriety of Lord Wolseley’s action in expressing the opinion he did on such a grave subject in an after-dinner speech; but added that the Government would regard his retirement as a great blow to the service. He promised that Lord Wolseley’s statements as to the inefficiency and defectiveness of their defence should receive the careful consideration of the Government. A great meeting is being arranged to take place in the city on June 5 to protest against the inadequacy of the defences. MEETING IN THE CITY. London, May 15. (Received May 16, 1886, at 10 a.m.) A meeting of merchants and bankers has been held to consider the national defences. Lord Charles Beresford, Sir George Elliott, Captain Colomb, and Messrs W. H. Hornby and Thomas Mayne, M.P.s, were present. Those present expressed pleasure at the country awakening to the inadequacy of the fleet, and said an invasion at the present time would result in great loss to the whole Empire. LORD WOLSELEY DEFENDS HIMSELF. In the House of Lords Lord Wolseley complained that the attack made upon him by the Marquis of Salisbury was unwarranted. He disowned any connection with the article which had appeared in the ‘Daily Telegraph.’ Referring to his after-dinner speech, he denied that he had attacked the Government, and explained that he could not have charged the Government with negligence, as they had done much to improve the defences of the country. He reiterated his opinion that the army and navy were weak and that the defences both at Home and abroad were defective and unsatisfactory. As to equipments and organisation the arrangements were also bad. The Marquis of Salisbury, in accepting Lord Wolseley’s disavowal, said that the protest he had entered was justified, and he hoped that in future charges of such a nature would be made in Parliament.