STRENGTH OF THE FORCES.
BY way of satisfying the public mind, the Times furnishes an ex- pl Leaden supplementary to Lord John Russell's in the House of Cotumons when he stated that Government did not propose any increase in the number of troops or seamen above what was voted by Parliament before the Christmas holydays. The "further par- ticulars" supplied by the Times, which evidently speaks on author- ity, give the following results. As a course which would afford defences with "least offence to Foreign Governments, but most in
accordance with our own constitutional practice," Ministers resolved
to call out the Militia. The number of 50,000 men was voted for 1852, and 30,000 more for the present year-80,000 in all ; and "we may take it for granted that a defensive force of at least 60,000 volunteers, well equipped, respectably trained, and animated by the best possible spirit, will be available in aid of the regular army in the course of this year." In regard to officers, the Times adds, "we have reason to know that vacancies exist on the muster-roll, which qualified candidates would at once, without any intervention of favour or influence, be admitted to fill." An increase of 2000 men has been made in the Artillery ; "a force which cannot be extemporized," and one in which "a gunner may save a dozen sol- diers." The Marines—a force so effective, that the want of sea- men-riggers has very little been felt—are strengthened by 1500 men. The Times enters into an elaborate calculation to show that the total increase of the Army since 1835, "the model year of peace-agitators and economists," is in number 21,965; which has been distributed-9890 to India, at the charge of the East India Company, and 3448 to the Colonies ; making an increase from January 1835 to January 1852 of not more than 8627 in the home force. But our Dockyard battalions have been equipped and drilled, and "the least decrepit of our Pensioners" have been en- rolled. The augmentation actually given to the troops of the Line since the close of the year 1851 amounts to 3223 men. The addi- tion, says the Times, is not inordinate, but we are entirely of opin- ion that as regards the mere numbers of our land forces enough has been done.
Something also has been done, or is to be done, to strengthen the Navy; besides the voting of 5000 men as a "naval reserve "— "To avoid any dangerous inferiority in the Channel, it has been deter- mined that we shall maintain in our several ports a sufficient number of screw steam-ships to form a strong home squadron ; and it is anticipated that the new scheme for manning the Navy will include some proposition for a Maritime Militia, or in other words, a force which shall discharge the same office in aid of our regular seamen as is discharged both effectually and in- offensively by the Militia of the counties in aid of our regular soldiers." As to the details, therefore, we have no further information ex- cept of a negative kind or of a prospective kind ; there is now "a cessation in the progress of armament" ; and the Times thinks that what has been done is "enough." Now we have great re- spect for the information of the Times ; but we may be forgiven for saying that the judgment of that or any other journal will not be accepted in lieu of a responsible declaration by Ministers. We doubt, indeed, whether an assurance from Ministers themselves would be sufficient. Of course they have the best sources of in- formation, and we do not presume that they are insensible to the responsibility under which they lie ; but there are various kinds of responsibility, and a time is probably coming when the public would be very little satisfied to learn that the test of suffi- ciency had been left to the responsibility of a Home Secretary or a Minister of Education. The terms of the assurance are in them- selves not very assuring. We are told, that in lieu of a regular army a Militia is raised ; 80,000 men being voted for that pur- pose ; but we find that only 60,000 are expected to be enrolled in the course of the present year-25 per cent under the allowance. We then learn that the officers fall very short of the requirements in point of numbers, so short that qualified candidates would be admitted at once : a species of advertisement is issued, inviting them to come forward. We then have assur- ances that the force in these islands has scarcely been increased since 1835, the model peace year—not the fittest model for the five years since 1848. We are officially assured that it has been deter- mined to make certain arrangements in order "to avoid any dan- gerous inferiority in the Channel"; but we do not understand that these measures are already in force ; so that, for the present, the " dangerous inferiority" exists. Now it is well understood, we believe, that the Militia could scarcely be counted upon to bear the brunt of an invading force, and doubts naturally exist whether the proportion of the Line is sufficient for the service that would be expected from it in case of any invasion. In pointing out these defects in the information now vouchsafed, however, it is not our purpose to insist that these apparent shortcomings should be made good. What we have particularly to insist upon is—first, that the assurance itself suggests existing deficiencies in the very moderate plan which is to be carried out, and states no date when these deficiencies shall be supplied; secondly, that the assurances of sufficiency appear to be given on the strength of the authority of the Times journal and of some Ministerial source not avowed. To make the assurance quite satisfactory, it ought to be given on the authority of the responsible military officers. For example—Is the Commanding-officer of any one division of Militia satisfied with the period allowed at drill ; and does he think that it is sufficient to place his men in a serviceable con- dition? Is he ready to declare that the force under him is effectively officered ? Again—Is the Commander of the Channel Fleet understood to state, on his professional and official responsi- bility, that he could hold the Channel against any hostile force that could be brought into it ? Is he prepared to Bay that all has been done which might be done at once, which would give his force its full available strength ? Is the Commanding-officer at each one of our ports, Portsmouth for example, prepared to say that the place is so fortified, so guarded by its ships, and altogether placed in such a position, as to be able to hold out against any force that might attempt to enter it ? And, to close with one more example, is the Commander-in-chief understood to declare that he is fully satisfied with the arrangements which have been made, in the form of soldiers, ordnance, and fortifications ? It is not for us to presume that the arrangements are insufficient. We hold that the Times journal has received information from those who are able to command it better than we can. But flaws in the information in- evitably strike the reader ; and he cannot fail also to note, that in spite of repeated expressions of curiosity on the subject, the opinion of the responsible military and naval authorities is not given.
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