BRITAIN'S ARMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 6 January 1916, Page 1

BRITAIN'S ARMY

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY LORD K'TGiUNER VOLUNTARY SYSTHI NOT EQUAL TO THE STRAIN. MODIFICATION NEEDED TO JMAIN- ■ TAIN REINFORCEMENTS (fEEsa Association.—Copybiqht.) ■ - i (Rec. Jan. 6, 2.40 p.m.) >- 4 .. .LONDON, Jan. 5. In thei House of Lords .Lord 'Kitchener said the voluntary system., should be given the fullest and fairest-trial, bub without.modification it was not equal to maintaining the Army at the needed strength to secure victory. He w«nt on. ■ to say: "Speaking in this House soyen- - teen _ months ago I stated tlie broad, principles of the military steps I consid-; ~ : ered necessary to meet the emergency 'of war. The scheme was based on a definite plan„to secure, by successive in- ■ ' creases in * our military strength, 'an. army commensurate with our pow&r and ! - responsibility, with the proper complement of reserves l and reinforceiftents. The scheme also aimed at keeping. , -up the armies at an. effective strength. , in. s the field during the war. Further <we - : had to produce for the Army thus cre&t- " ed, guns, ammunition, and military,: material requisite to maintain - fighting value. This scheme was de- 1 -veloped * •under the existing voluntary military service system." ; t ,