In the House of Commons on Thursday Mr. Brodrick announced
that there would be a general inquiry into the war by means of a small Royal Commission, the reference to which would be stated later. Probably parts of the inquiry will be held privately and the rest in public. We most sincerely trust that the reference will be so drawn as to include the consideration of the behaviour in the field of the so-called untrained troops. In view of the conflicting allega- tions as to their conduct and usefulness, or want of useful. ness, it is of the most vital importance that we should know the facts, and the whole facts, as to their military value. Till these facts are put on record we cannot tell what our military policy for the future ought to be, and how far it is safe to trust to non-professional soldiers. We want, not a general laudation of the patriotism of the men who answered their country's call, and so forth, but hard facts as to how the men actually did in the field.
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