18 NOVEMBER 1854, Page 2

The continued rumours in India, that Russia is making ad-

vances in this or that quarter of Central Asia, deserve little no- tice; but there is another subject of rather prominent discussion in the Indian papers. They are considering the necessity of cer- tain reforms in their army, on grounds very like those urged in this country, and especially the greater age of the officers as compared with the average at a former period. It is doubtful whether the Native troops could in all cases be relied upon ; but it is observed that the total of troops under British control is 320,000, while in some of the few remaining Native states there is a military force of not less than 400,000; Native states ever being of doubtful allegiance. Just at the time, therefore, when we were beginning to discuss the practicability of drawing reinforcements for the Russian war from India, the Indian journals were discussing the necessity of increasing the British army in India!