A Sensational Speech by Randolph Churchill

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 9 June 1887, Page 2

A Sensational Speech by Randolph Churchill

GROSS MILITARY AND NAVAL EXTRAVAGANCE. THE BRITISH AND CONTINEN. TAL ARMIES COMPARED.

London, June 8. There was a great sensation in the House of Commgnf.. last night. Lord Bardolph Churchill Unsparingly attacked the administration o! the Army and Navy. He atserted that the expenditure was annually increasing without a corresponding increase of effectiveness, and millions were Affing wasted every year in the most wanton manner throuffh the utter incapacity of the officials. He considered there was the grouest O mis-maaagement. In 1875, the Army cost £14,500,000, whilst in 1886 the amouit had swollen to £18,500,000. The Navy expenditure had increased from £11,000,000 it IB7S to £12,500,000 last year. These entrmouz increases were accompanied by a steady deterioration in tbe fighting strength of the English Army, which only numbered 160,000 men, yet Germany and France by an expenditure of £21,000,000 and £29,000,300 respectively were able to maintain a fores of 1,500,000 men in an equal state of effective* nets. The armaments and fortresses were not to be depended on. Both cannons and aHpe were behind the age, and the Commissariat/Wae faulty. Incapacity war rampant eteewhere. As an instance he cited the scandalsM offer of the officials to protect an Important position like King George's Sound witb obsolete muzcle louden. By making a thorough revolution in the personnel of the Army and Navy if would bo possible to effect a saving of millfonc annaally, and at the came time to hcixo an improvement in both branohu of th< service. Lord Harris, Parliamentary tnder-Seero. tary tor the War Office, replying io Churchill stated that the comparison between the British and the Germam and Freioh waa u. fair, ai the itroope on tbe dontnent were mainly conaoripti, add thoae of Gnat Britain voluntary. Naturally .the tormoi would bo larger in numben and cost leu. He denied that the management of naval aad military affaire waa incapable. The Government eonsidered the defence of King Gaorjo'e Sound moat important.