ENCOURAGEMENT TO VOLDNTEERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIV, Issue 37, 14 February 1900, Page 2

ENCOURAGEMENT TO VOLDNTEERS.

LONDON. February 13. Lerd Lansdownp, J-'ectetary for War, speaking in the House of Lords, and Mr Wyndham, Under Secretary, spcaii. g in the House of Commons, explained tho new military scheme, which they dechred was tentative and designed to meet a great emergency by eipediento, though ultimately it might possibly form an integral part of permanent army reorganisation. There wero still available for home defence 11)9,000 rpgnla a an< 3>8,000 auxiliaries. It was pro- j posed to increase the regulars by j 30,000, '.and the Government hoped bymeans of encouragement to induce the | auxiliaries to attain to the full establishment soon, bringing the number of trained men nearer tKX),OOO than 500,000. I This will |be done without having recourse to a modified conscription on a revival of the militia ballot. In addition I to the increase in the strength of the I various departments of the regular army, the Volunteer Artillery would be provided with modern guns and invited to train three months annually. The Volunteers would be armed with the best weapon, and more rifle ranges wonld be provided, together with an increased capitation grant and other assistance. They too would be encouraged to supply a proportion of mounted infantry. Altogether) 253 additional artillery officers and (522 officers of the line would be required nnder the scheme. The bulk of these commissions would be offered to colonists, militia students, the universities, and the public schools. Sir Charles Dilke (L), Mr Arnold-Fors-ter (L.U.), and several military members delivered critical speeches. " The Times " regards the scheme as disappointing, declaring that it display a lack of principle and imagination, a rare opportunity not having been properly utilized. Later. Lord Salisbury has decided against the inclusion of the militia ballot in the military programme.