ARMY REORGANISATION: WHY NOT ALL COM- MISSIONS THROUGH THE RANKS
P
Sin,—Hoping that my career, embracing Rugby, Sandhurst, six years a subaltern struggling to live on his pay and ending in inevitable resignation, then ten years in the United States, from cowboy to managing editor of a daily newspaper, followed by two years in South Africa, from trooper through the non-commissioned ranks to a commission and captaincy in the Imperial Yeomanry during the war, constitutes a qualifying experience, I venture to suggest a remedy for our present unsatisfactory Army organisation.
Mr. Arnold-Forstor's shafts recently aimed at the public schools speedily became boomerangs ; but it is evident that " brains" and " education " are at last to be considered essentials in our Army officers. If history teaches us anything in military organisation, it is that these two form a sure foundation for success. Upon this foundation Prussia's military system was erected. Against it the fine Army of Bohemia in 1866 stood for seven weeks only, and in 1870 the magnificent French Imperial Army for but three days longer. Moltke's system is the system of the German General Staff to-day, and to German officers' instruction the Japanese owe their grand military organisation.
As matters stand with us, the first essential is "private means" to enable an officer to keep up the social position which usage has assigned him,—a relic of feudalism. Level-headed youngsters without means abandon their inclination towards a military life, and devote themselves to some other profession offering the means of livelihood. These aro the most likely to make the best Army officers, for they would make the career theirs for life, and would be free from the temptation to retire and live on their means at the first rebuff or disagreeable duty. Hence a serious elimination of the best brains available for the Army takes place, which the public schools are powerless to prevent. If the keeping up of a social position contributed to an officer's efficiency, it would be the strongest possible argument for increase of pay ; but no such claim can be advanced. Nor can it be denied that an officer's pay and allowances are poor only when compared with expenses that have to be met.
Granted the absolute necessity of securing for the Army the best brains available, anything that militates against this must be sacrificed, for this is the proved keynote, as stated above, to successful military organisation. Moreover, once the brains are secured, if they are to be used to the best advantage, they must have a systematic, uniform, special training under • discipline
extending over a longer period and commencing at an earlier age than is the case at present. Such training, to produce the best results in the commissioned ranks, must inculcate first and foremost habits of self-control and self-denial, and a feeling of patriotism that shall rise superior to luxury, that shall make its boast of personal fitness for any duty rather than of "having a good time.'
The school for such a training the ranks of our Army supply. Let every youngster gain his commission through the ranks with merit for his banker, and let the authorities see to it that when that commission is gained an officer's compulsory expenses shall leave a fair margin of pay intact. His experience in the ranks will have shown him how to keep well and fit on plain but wholesome fare, and far less will be deemed sumptuous and befitting his hard-earned rank than would bo the case if ho had had no such preliminary experience, but on inherited bank-notes had merely swaggered through a public school or Sandhurst or both, with occasionally Oxford or Cambridge added.
The military spirit is inborn in the individual, is seldom the heritage of every member of the same family, and never of an entire class. When it really exists hardships to be encountered are but themes for merriment. It is for this reason that such a regulation would not deter the youngster with private means from going through the ranks if his heart were in the career, while it would keep out the moneyed loafer, who joins to " have a good time" or get social recognition.
The response to the call for Volunteers during the South African War showed how far from dead is the military spirit in the British Empire among every class of society. The highest in the land served as troopers with the lowest, and can it be said that they deteriorated socially by so doing ? Did it not rather draw closer the bonds of manhood between citizens of the Empire, showing one class the good qualities of another? Did not the leaven of brains infused into these irregular corps compensate marvellously for their lack of training ? Moreover, would not such new blood undoubtedly elevate the character of the class at present almost entirely composing the ranks of our Army ? Would not the public estimation of Thomas Atkins rise accord- ingly, and place him on the level that patriotism demands ?
With all commissions, in every branch and department of the Army, to be won only through the ranks, the Army authorities themselves would become responsible for the entire education and training of its men, non-commissioned officers, and officers, and Army organisation would then become an ordinary business proposition capable of systematisation.
How early this training should begin is a question of cost, but the earlier the better in these days when specialisation makes for success. For a form of secondary education from which she would directly benefit the country should be willing to make sacrifices. It might begin in Cadet battalions at the various regimental dep6ts as soon as primary education is finished. By taking hold of lads at a critical age, it would be possible to have them physically as well as mentally fit when they enter the ranks proper of the branch or department selected. If in addi- tion to their military training they were also taught a trade, tho country would indirectly be a gainer thereby.
The day has gone past for "forging generals and soldiers under the hammer of war." Thorough education is essential, and when all ranks receive it in the same school, the most capable being gradually promoted to command, each man will be able to co- operateintellig,ently, according to his rank. Intelligent initiative among subordinates will win the battles of the future, and to take such initiative requires now, more than ever before, a thorough training under a uniform system.
Finally, such a regulation could do its work gradually, and with due training, involving no dangerous horse-swapping in the turbulent stream of international politics.
[We feel that we cannot deny a hearing to a correspondent with so interesting a record, though we by no means agree with his very sweeping proposals. We hold that com- missions should be granted to men in the ranks who are proved worthy of them in intellect and character, and believe that in certain respects the ranks are an excellent military school; but we demur very strongly to the proposition that the ranks should be the one gate for entering the Army. The modern officer ought to be a highly trained specialist, and this is by no means always compatible with a commission
through the ranks.—ED. Spectator.]
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