OUR ARMY EULOGISED.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 48, 20 July 1908, Page 8

OUR ARMY EULOGISED.

Foreign critic compares it WITH CONTINENTAL FORCES.

Seldom—it hus to be admitted, however, regretfully—does praise for the British Army and its methods come from a foreign critic. A striking eulogy of our lighting force from ft foreigner was, however, published the other day. Contrasting the British and Continental armies, the special representative of the “New-York • Herald” (Paris), who has been following the manoeuvres in England, says that not only are tactics not the same, but the whole equipment and training of the troops of all arms is dif“The British Army,” he declares, 'Ms the only force in Europe which possesses a fighting uniform ns well ts a parade dress.” Speaking of "Tommy Atkins's” khaki fighting garb he adds—“ The fighting kit of the British Army is undoubtedly the most practicable and serviceable that Mists." WHAT THE BOER WAR TAUGHT. The eulogistic critic proceeds to say that “the men are well-shod, though I prefer the french ‘godillot,’ which, I think, is as near perfection in military- footwear as is to be found. Everything on the uniform which could help to reveal the presence of the soldier has been abolished.

. “The Boer war revealed the fact 'that a brass button could Hash for miles like a heliograph. Horn or leather has been substituted. The officers on activo service wear no swords, and have only a minimum number of badges of rank on their uniforms. The absence qf mounted officers in a British regiment strikes anyone accustomed to Continental armies.”

The youthfulness of some of our soldiers is emphasised. “One thing that strikes the observer unfavouraMy,” says the article, "is the extreme youth of many of the rank and file. I saw hundreds who could not have been more than seventeen or eighteen years of age. These ‘Brodricks,’ as they used to be called, seemed, however, to support the fatigue will. EMBARRASSING BAGGAGE- . TRAINS.

"This was doubtless due to the light order in which they marched. This is the most revolutionary change that has been made in the active service conditions of the British Army. The knapsack has been abolish'Hl, and all the soldier carries is his folded greatcoat, water-bottle, an 1 ammunition-bells, with a short bayonet about 12in. long.

"The contrast between the Continental soldier, with his fifty-pound knapsack, Jils haversack, cooking utensils, trenching tools, water-bot-tle. cartridge-cases, and long, heavy bayonet is very great. The English ni.*thod jnust entail a tremendous regimentAl baggage train, which might be a source of great embarrassment. The regimental waggons are apt to get lost during a battle, with disastrous results. "The rations of the British soldier are fairly ample as regards quantity. He has a pound of bread, the ration of meat, bo many ounces of vegetables, &c., but he is singularly helpless in preparing an appetising meal. In this point the superiority of the French troops is immense. I think that in this respect 'Tommy Atkins' is even inferior to the German soldier. SPLENDID DISCIPLINE. "The discipline of the British Array leaves nothing to be desired. It still possesses a splendid set of non-commissioned officers, many of Icyig service and experience. The only fault to find with some of them is that they had put on a considerable amount of flesh and seemed somewhat worried when they had a stiff hill to breast." For the British cavalry the critic has nothing but praise. “The men," he says, “are excellently horsed, and ride in a fashion that leaves the Continental cavalry far behind. In spite ■)f the fact that active service conditions prevailed, the horses were admirably groomed, their coats shining like satin.” *