Indian Army Reform.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7567, 18 April 1903, Page 7

Indian Army Reform.

Lord Kitchener has begun hj s reorganisation of the military forces" of the Indian Empire, amf during the next two months of his tour ho will steadily add to the report which h» is submitting to the Ciov-er-iment. We have the authority of' an officer of high standing for "the statement that Lord Kitchener has already realised the following c i e . fects in the army :—

The commands are overstaffed; The regiments are weak. There is insufficient mounted infantry.

Defective transport. The distribution is faulty. Colonel Sir Howard Vincent, who recently returned from the Durbar, supports these statements, and says that the general staff ' is insufficient, while minor posts are overburdened with staff officers.'All India i s looking with keen interest to the contest which is expected between _ the Viceroy's Council and Lord Kitchener when the latter demands money for reforms. The members of the Council are opposed to reorganisation, and as Lord Kitchener is sent to India to look up tho delenccs there is sure to bo a battle tor supremacy between him and Military Member of Council over the appropriations for military work. The Commander-hi-Ghief in India is practically subordinate in matters of finance- to the Solitary Member of Council, holding much the same position as the Anmy chief at Home does to the War Secretary. The position is therefore full of interest, as Lord Kitchener is not likely to-brook interference with oiTicicncv.