Mr. Arnold-Forster's speech showed a reasonable temper, and we are
entirely with him in his remarks in regard to such absurdities as the proposal to substitute arbitration and the rhetoric of universal-peace orations for military preparations. We cannot, however, follow him when he speaks of Mr. Haldane proposing "to substitute for our Regular Army an incoherent, unorganised, and undisciplined force." That is in no sense a fair description of any of the ideas even tentatively shadowed forth by the Secretary of State for War. The Prime Minister ended the debate by a speech which shows that be has no in- tention of yielding to any crude demand for Army reduction. We are with him in his denial of the proposition so often made that the only way to reduce the Army Estimates is by reducing the men. "Of course, reducing the men is the easiest way of producing an effect upon the Estimates, but there may be a less costly organisation for the same number of men." Mr. Lowe, he declared, used to insist that even if you do not save very large sums over sealing-wax and wafers, yet if you make no effort to save on these details you will be extravagant in other matters. That is sound sense, and we believe that Mr. Haldane by saving over a large number of such small items may not only be able to reduce the total cost of the Army, but may greatly increase its efficiency; Efficiency and economy are natural companions. Efficiency' and extravagance are hardly ever to be found together.
Previous page
