THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13359, 7 March 1912, Page 3

THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

REPLIES TO CRITICISM

|TitEBB Association —Copyright.]

London, March 5,

Colonel Seely, Under-Secretary for War, introducing the Army Estimates in the House- of Commons, unhesitatingly denied that there was a particlo of truth in tho-Opposition charges of tho inferiority of the Army rifle, which was extraordinarily roliablo. as proved in the South African war. Tho heavy guns of the horse and iiold artillery and tho machine guns wore tho best in Europe. Part of the present air battalion would bo absorbed by the new flying corps, embracing soldiers, sailors and civilians. It was proposed to train 180 officers yearly, and to purchase--131 aeroplanes. _ Mr Bonar Law repeated that tho rifle was inferior in trajectory compared with that of-other nations. The culpable delay in improving it was inexcusable. Lord Haldanc, Secretary of State for War, replying tn a question, said that our rifle, if inferior in trajectory had many advantages over.the German.