THE IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

It is very evident that the Imperial Government does not intend to allow the question of Imperial defence to grow cold. The great majority with which it enters upon a new term of office, and the emphatic expressions of the whole British world in favour of better defences, enables the Salisbury Administration to take up the tremendous task with unusual confidence. With Lord Roberts as Commander-in-Chief, and Lord Kitchener in command at South Africa, and the energetic Mr. Brodrick in the War Office, we may look not only for a remodelling of the Imperial military system, but for a systematisation of the present chaotic scheme of Imperial defence. With this in view, Lord Wolseley's intended tour of inspection round the world has a double significance. He will be away while the certainly great War Office changes take place, and his great military capacity will be enabled to grasp the place in a complete scheme of the various parts of the Empire. Canada and Egypt, both of which he visits, are the two roads from Britain to the East. The Cape is on the ocean road to the Pacific, and itself for the time being one of the weak spots in our Imperial armour. Doubtless the intention will be to make stronglyfortified stations at the Cape, somewhere in Egypt, and on the Pacific outlet of the Canadian-Pacific railway. We shall hear later what part all the great colonies and dependencies pre to play ii the Imperial plan of campaign, which must be arranged during the years of peace. As far as Australasia is concerned, there is no hint that Lord Wolseley will visit us, and Lord' Roberts' intended visit is necessarily postponed. But in Major-General French, the Australian commandant, the Imperial Government have an officer of high repute, who is said to be deeply trusted at Home. While it is almost certain that high military authorities will accompany the Duke of York and take advantage of his visit to make such further inspections and reports as may be required. Of course, all these military schemes cost money, but we have learned this past year that nothing is so costly as war, and nothing so cheap as to be ready far it' which insures peace.