BRITAIN’S ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 4

BRITAIN’S ARMY

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS.

SOLDIER MEMBERS DISMAYED.

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON. March 22.

A powerful array of soldier members of the House of Comriions strenuously attacked the new Array Estimates, on the ground that it was dangerous to reduce tho Empire’s military strength. Mr F. B. Mi Idmay (Co.-U.),' who moved a nominal reduction of tho vote, Field-Marshal vSir Henry Wilson (U.), Sir C. Townshend (I.), Sir .John Davidson (Co.-XL), and Major-general Sir Cecil Lowther (I.) wore amongst the moat prominent of tlio critics. Field-Marshal Wilson said he was not an advocate of an army of eighty as lie was not thinking of a great European war, but how to avoid war inside the Empire. “There is,” he said, “a wav to save money. Leave tho places which do not beion'g to ns in tho grasp of those to whom they do belong, by which means wo can effect a largo economy.” Sir L. Worthington Evans (Secretary of State -for War), in replying, said: “If wo attempted to ahapo an army on FieldMarshal Wilson’s basis wo would Ira faced with the problem that wo could only secure recruits on higher terms or by conscription.” Mr Mildmay’s amendment was defeated by 243 votes to 54.—A. ami N.Z. Cable.