NEWS OF THE WEEK.
A SENSATION has been created by the announcement that the Fortification Committee has recommended the apilieation of
10,000,000/. to the fortification of our dockyards ; other appa- rently semi-official intimations have confirmed previous reports of an extension of the Army ; the Royal Commander-in-Chief has been the chief actor in the laying of the first stone f the new Staff College ; and the Admiralty has just struck opf an- other in the series of measures bearing upon the reform and strengthening of the Navy.
. Through the Globe we have some correction of the 'original report touching fortifications. It has long since been determined that the national dockyards should be protected against the pos- sibility of attacks consequent on the modern use of steam navi- gation, with the facility of bringing a large naval force to bear upon our shores, or even of landing a great invading force. The works have already been begun ; and although the sum of 10,000,000/. may ultimately be required, the outlay will be spread over some years. The works, therefore, are not dictated by sudden panic, are not applicable to any particular incident of the last year, and are not likely to be completed in a hurry.
The extension of the Army is also dictated by a practical necessity. The dissolution of the East India -Company's Euro- pean force in India has rendered, it necessary to supply the place of that force by Queen's troops ; hence the extension of the Royal Array.' The plan adopted is intended to secure the great- est amount of efficiency with the least dead weight of expense. Twenty men will be added per company, the troops sent out to China having already been furnished with this complement. It is a mode of augmentation which avoids increasing the number
of officers. - Another improvement is the reduction of the price of commis- sions and expense in Cavalry regiments ; the joint effect of more stringent examination, and the cost, having kept out idlers on the one hand and prudent men on the other.
The commencement of the Staff College is an event of the week, but likewise belongs both to the past and the future. Heretofore the, class of strident for Staff employments have found shelter, and instruction, in Sandhurst College ; but it has proved desirable to furnish the department with a home of its own. The establishment of the new College points to an altered system in the distribution of Staff employment, on the principle of merit and efficiency. The Duke of Cambridge almost promised that such a rule should in future be adopted.
It will be observed that the whole tendency of these proceed- ings is to undermine the system of purchase. In the Infantry regiments the duties of officers are increased ; the Commander- in-Chief has lately enforced more stringent examinations in Cavalry regiments ; the stringency and the expense have com- bined to keep out candidates for the junior commissions ; the Staff employments will henceforward demand completely in- structed officers ; and thus a system of efficiency and responsi- bility is gradually developed, inconsistent equally with the tenure of a commission by purchase, and with the selection of officers by their purchasing capacity.
