England's Army.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 60, 31 July 1906, Page 4

England's Army.

LORD ROBERTS' VIEW. Londod, July 28. The Earl of Donoughmore initiated a debate in the House of Lords yesterday on the scheme submitted by Mr R. B. Haldane, Secretary of State for War, for reducing the strength of the army. He said he did not believe that the scheme would promote efficiency and economy. Lord Roberts admitted that some- reduction in the rank and file was possible, but to reduce ten battalions, including officers, was most'serious, 1 seeing that there were already seven thousand officers short for mobilising purposes. He approved the proposal that _ the militia should serve abroad, and said the Yeomanry should also have a similar training. The Earl of Portsmouth (Civil Lord of the Admiralty) said the; Government wer« only executing the mandate of the country to reduce the expenditure, and were trying to find a remedy for the serious shortage of officers, ■.,... Viscount Goschen condemned the Go* vernment's scheme as crude. The debate is not finished.