AN AUSTRIAN VIEW OF THE BRITISH ARMY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6089, 28 January 1898, Page 2

AN AUSTRIAN VIEW OF THE BRITISH ARMY.

The Austrian Pester Lloyd (says an ex* change,) has on article on the British Army. The writer is very complimentary and expresses surprise at the wonderful rapidity with which fifty thousand "admirable troops " were iaobilished on the Indian frontier. Equally striking:, it is said, is the bravery of the Indian regiments, thanks to the leadership of their British officers. The Austrian writer considers that the heroism displayed by Sikhs and Goorkhos, not to mention other corps, is the best possible proof of the real fighting qualities of the native Indian soldiers, "qualities which could not fail to tell on tin European battlefield, where the difficulties could not be greater than those which have recently been faced with the utmost calmness by these born soldiers of the QueenEmpress." If, it is held, British rule in India rests on the bayonets of such men a% these.it must be a. firm rule indeed, " for the accounts of the several actions and the gallantry of all ranks of the native Army have been a veritable eye-opener to Europe." From first to last the writer speaks most eulogistioally of the conduct of the campaign. He does not disguise that there have been some mistakes made, but his argument is that the difficulties have been enormous, and that such mis-takes-were inevitable in all the circumstances of the situation. Leaving the Indian Army and turning to English troops generally, the writer enumerates the numberleaß deeds of English soldiers in different climes. The British troops, it is said, are " a Bplendid illustration of the fact that hundreds who fight voluntarily are worth more than thousands who fight compulsorily." The writer strongly supports the demand of our military authorities for extra expenditure. Whatever English politicians may think and say, every continental soldier whoße opinion is worth anything, it is said, fully recognises the soundness of the demand whichis being made. In this connection ho observes : " Despite theincrease-of the British Army, it might nevertheless prove too small for all the requirements of such a great Empire, and the hour may coma when the English will recognise that the strongest is no longer the mightiest if standing alone." What the British Government has _ to do now, we are told, is to decide what it is going to provide; money or men. "That it will have to give one or the other there can be np question, and. with its vast wealth, and enormous foreign possession&Jthe money asked for ought to be forthcoming." The article in the Pester Lolyd appears opportunely; audit is penned in such a friendly spirit that it ought to carry weight.

Rowing. — At last night's meeting of the Christohurch Eegatta Club, Mr A. £. Craddock brought forward a proposal by Mr S. James, of Dunedin, that au eightoared race between Canterbury and Otago representatives shonld be rowed at the conclusion of the Championship Eegatta in . Dunedin in March. The unanimous opinion of the meeting was that the holding of such a race must be left to the rowing, men. who, .might,** Pf r e^ t -- Rt th « regatta; but that it would pWe to be only a scratch affair, and could not be called an interprovincial contest. Cbhtaislt tlio boet, known lawf™"* *" Bandar powerful ofleota to ooogW. oolda, inluebza-tlrt lenta »f all kinds. bftthay woittids, brans, BoaldawT broißßS, "prttos, it is tho safest K,medy-no product In oroup, dij*thn» bronch^ inW S' 1 df™gw of the Hdneys tod nHti&ry SlS?1i« riSbef Sttlso by bis Mntesty tie ffi^^E^«^^sterd«™. i.