On Thursday week the libel action brought by Major Adam,
formerly M.P. for Woolwich, against Sir Edward Ward, the late Secretary to the War Office, ended in a verdict for Major Adam, with L'2,000 damages. Probably the Army Council now regret that they did not grant the inquiry which Major Adam persistently demanded when he was removed from his cavalry regiment. Though removed from his regiment as an unsuitable officer, he was given responsible work at the War Office. It does not follow, of course, that an officer who has not the faculty—the gift, one might call it—of leading men may not be an intellectually capable man. The important question which has now been brought forward ones more is the whole system of con- fidential reports. Probably they are necessary in a disciplined organization like an army. But they should certainly be used in public with extraordinary care, and it should never be possible for an officer to say that he was condemned unheard The jury evidently considered that Major Adam was not treated with the tact, the absolute sincerity, and the justio which he deserved.
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