18 JUNE 1904, Page 2

A most unfortunate rupture has taken place between Lord Dundonald

and the Canadian Government, which'has resulted in his being relieved of his command. So far as the facts are public, it appears that the Minister of Militia countermanded the order for the appointment of officers to a new cavalry regi- ment which Lord Dundonald was organising, and when a subsequent list was submitted Mr. Fisher, the Minister of Agriculture, who was acting for his colleague, struck out the name of a squadron commander to whom he objected. Lord Dundonald in a public speech protested against the incident as an attempt to introduce Politics into- the administration of the Militia, and the Canadian Govern- ment have resented his action as a breach of ixtilitary.ffis- cipline and constitutional usage. On the abstract merits, Lord Dundonald seems to us to be in the right, for political appointments to commands are fatal to military efficiency; and it is noteworthy that many of the Canadian papers, including some of the Government organs, join with him in warning the country against the same danger.