Anstv EsrimArss.
On the motion for going into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates, Mr. Wimumas moved that the Estimates should be referred to a Select Committee. His reasons for taking this course were, that the Estimates are dim up in n different form, so that he was unable to understand them; that they exceeded those of 1835 by nearly four millions, and those of 1853 by two millions ; that the whole estimates for the Army, Navy, and Ordnance, are 5,856,000/. greater than those presented to the last unreformed Parliament, 7,500,000/. more than those presented in 1835, and 4,400,0001. more than those of 1853.
No one came forward to second Mr. Williams's motion ; and after a brief conversation the House went into Committee of Supply. Lord Parstaarreny stated, that as Sir John Ramsden had only recently come into office, and had only mastered the details of the Estimates, he thought it would be more satisfactory to the House that a member of the Government should give the general explanations with regard to the principles that regulate the amount of force that Ministers propose to maintain during the present year and generally, in time of peace. In the first place, he would state that the Estimates--differing in that respect from those of former years—comprise everything connected with the military departments—the Army, Ordnance, Commissariat—so that the House can see at one view the whole of the military expenditure. Surely the Estimates in this form are not too much for the grasp of Mr. Williams.
The question they had to consider was, what amount of force should be maintained combining economy, and efficiency. In one sense the maxim "an via pacem para bellum " is sound, in another not. If it is meant that we should imitate the military monarchies and keep up great armies, it is unsound ; and he would be sorry to see any Government in this country imitate those states. If we were to consider only what force would be necessary to maintain order at home, we should require but a small one. But the circumstances of the country are peculiar. We have possessions in all parts of the globe, and we must maintain a force calculated to provide for sudden danger at home and abroad. This requires peculiar caution. We are close to a great power, superior to us in military and nearly equal in naval establishments. It is impossible to rely solely on naval means of defence. The Government is bound to take care that our military establishment is not numerically larger than is needed ; but "though we ought to have a comparativelysmall military establishment, it ought to be so organized as to be capable of speedy and great enlargement, and to contain within it those elements of science which are becoming every year more necessary for military establishments." It should also be practised in military evolutions. The great fault of our military arrangements hitherto has been, that they have ended with the regimental system. The brigade and divisional system were studied in theory; but "a man might as well expect to learn how to swim by extending himself on a mahogany table as to learn military evolutions by reading books in his arm-chair by the fireside." (Laughter.) To remedy this, Aldershott was purchased ; and it is intended that a large body of troops shall be collected there, and organized in brigades and division's, for exercise from April to October in the movements and evolutions they would have to perform if they were on active service. In order to provide for movement, a field-train has been provided, and a hospital staff—two new corps. The Government have augmented the artillery. "At the beginning of the last war we could not have put into the field 50 pieces of artillery ; and to judge by comparison what that amount is, it may be mentioned that when the Russian army entered Hung,ary to assist the Austrians to put down the Hungarians, they brought into the field 660 pieces of field artillery. By the augmentation of our artillery, I think that we could put well into the field, instead of 50 pieces, 140. / do not think that the House will be of opinion that that is a greater amount than is necessary." AD increase of 1100 men has also been made in the Engineers. The Line remains stationary. The total increase in respect to numbers, including supernumeraries appointed during the war, whom the Government thought it would be hard to reduce, is 6917; the increase of charge is 636,000/., part of which is temporary. But independently of the force sufficient to defend the country, it has been found necessary to protect our harbours, arsenals, and commercial ports. Portsmouth and Plymouth are now unassailable from the sea, but they require additional works on the land side. Dover is becoming a fortress of considerable strength. Sheerness and Pembroke must be protected from the attacks of a small army that might land in the neighbourhood and shell them from the land side. Another item of expense is for barrack accommodation. It is desirable that the troops should be lodged in barracks. It is better for them as soldiers and it eases the civil population of a burden. There is an increase of 57,0001. for manufacturing establishments. Government never contemplated dispensing with the employment of private traders. They cannot supply the entire wants of the army ; and when the Line is supplied with muskets there will still be the Militia, who should have as good a weapon as the Line ; and a certain quantity of muskets ought to be in store ready for emergencies. "If we were ever called upon to defend ourselves, what would the people of this country say, if, offering themselves in hundreds and thousands as volunteers, we had nothing but broom-sticks to place in their hands ? " (Laughter.) The establishment at Woolwich really deserves a visit from those who take an interest in these things. There is an increase of 37831. in the cost of clothing. The troops are no longer clothed by the Colonels, but by the War Department ; the material is now incomparably better, and the expense to the public much the same. Then provision must be made for the education of the officers of the Army. "It is quite obvious, that whatever may be the courage of your officers, and whatever the bravery of your men, unless there be with your courage a mixture of a certain amount of science and familiarity with the operations of war,—if there be not a mixture of cultivation of mind generally, as well as a cultivation of technical knowledge—you do not get your full value out of your courage, and you sacrifice lives which might be saved. Though the dogged courage of the British officer and soldier may, under any circumstances of disadvantage, Carry out the objects for which they strive, still it is the duty of the country to give its military men that instruction which will enable their courage to accomplish its objects with the least sacrifice of life and with the least loss to the Army. Great improvements have been made in the regimental schools ; and with regard to the officers, a Council has been appointed (of which the Commander-in-ehief is the head) consisting of officers of great distinction, in communioation with the Secretary for War, (though he is not actually a member of the Council,) its object being to frame a system of education for the officers, which will be calculated to secure to the Army men skilled in the profession, and whose minds, already generally cultivated, have been improved by a course of particular study and training. When that Commission has reported, its report will be lad on the table. Summing up the figures, Lord Palmerston said—" The total amount of the charge, for the effective service of the Army was in 1853-'4, 7,404,2914.; in this year it i 9,025,3601., making an increase of about 1,658,787/. This
is diminished by a decrease in the i charge for the Yeomanry, which we do not propose to call out this year ; and there s a elimination in the non-effective
cervices of 9534!.; which leaves a total increase of 1,611,5261." lie concluded by placieg in the hands of the Chairman the first vote—a vote of 2,921,0171., in addition to a sum of 1,467,0001. already voted for defraying the pay and allowances of the forces. Mr. STAFFORD, remarking that Lord Palmerston had said nothing on the subject, urged the necessity of doing something for the Medical Department; something to ameliorate the condition of the officers, especially by raising the pay of assistant-surgeons, and reconsidering the questions of retirement and promotion. Mr. Warsee suggested that we should, like the United States, establish a permanent commission to inquire into all new inventions in arms and military machinery. He remarked that no provision has been made for the rapid transport of troops, especially cavalry and artillery, by railway. Mr. MAGUIRE complained that officers have to pay for the passage of their families from placate place. Sir PR-tNCIS DARTNO expressed some doubts as to the Utility of Aldershott; and pointed out that sums voted for one purpose may be used for another, the checks that formerly prevented this no longer obtaining. Sir DE Lacy EVANS concurred in the proposal for summer encampments, but he condemned the practice of keeping the troops at Aldershott in winter : it was a deviation from the original intention of Lord Hardinge. Captain Vivra.; and Colonel PERCY HERBERT disapproved of the reduction of the rank and file while the staff had been increased. There are now five general officers in Dublin, four at the Cruragh, five at Aldershott, five at Shomeliff, with a vast number of brigadiers and petty officers. Lord Tone RUSSELL raised a note of warning. Next year we shall either have to make reductions or impose new taxes. "My right honourable friend, when he brought forward the budget, showed that his proposals were quite sufficient for the present year. But his revenue for the present year included about 4,600,000/. of Ineome-tax which will not figure to his credit in the next year's accounts ; and his whole surplus, after he had taken off 500,000/. from the teaduties, did not amount to more than 400,0001. Let the Committee consider what the state of our finances will be next year, if, not having this 4,500,000/. of Incometax, we have to provide estimates anything like those of the present year, With an increase of 1,600,000/. over our former peace establishment as to the Army, an increase of about 1,000,000/. in the Navy, and a similar increase in our Civil Estimates, which have got up of late years with frightful rapidity. I am quite ready to support the present vote, and any succeeding ones that may be necessary for the service of the present year; but I trust that an opportunity will be afforded us next year, whether on the proposal of my right honourable friend [Sir Francis Baring] or of some other Member, for discussing the expediency of appointing a Select Committee ; and that the Government will take into their serious consideration the amount of the estimates, and endeavour to propose reduced ones for 1858." Sir YORE RAMSDEN replied to several speakers. To Mr. Maguire he said, that provision has been made for the carriage of the wives and children of soldiers. To Mr. Watkin, that there are two Committees, one to consider all inventions connected with the Ordnance, the other those relating to small-arms. With regard to the complaints respecting Aldershott he said, that the average of sick is 3 per cent, while the average of sick in the different home barracks is 4 per cent ; that it will be used as a summer camp of instruction ; and that the troops who remain in winter will be lodged in permanent barracks. To Mr. Stafford he said, that delay in dealing with the Medical Department arose solely from the desire to get the fullest information.
The vote was agreed to.
On a vote of 359,055/. for Miscellanous Charges, there was a good deal of conversation on an old grievance—the difference between tho Guards and the Line: but it did not result in any practical suggestion.
Mr. .ADDERLEY, reverting again to the soldiers of the German Legion sent to the Cape, maintained that they were neither the best force for defending the Cape nor the kind of settlers wanted there. , It is an ingenious scheme of the Governor of the Cape to defend and settle the country at the same time, and between the two stools he will fall. Governor Grey's experiment with military settlers in New Zealand was a failure. The Canadian pensioners were a burden. In the whole history of colonization no project of this kind has succeeded. He moved that the vote under consideration should be reduced by 50,1121., the sum allowed the Legionaries for buildings. Mr. LABOUCHERE defended the course pursued by the Government, and eulogized the conduct of Governor Sir George Grey. The plan of settling the soldiers at the Cape has been readily and gratefully accepted by the colonists, and their presence on the frontier has preserved the peace. The experiment was honourable to England, and would be beneficial to the Cape. Mr. HENLEY and Major S. WourLey criticized the project unfavourably. Mr. Henley said the Legion had been trained for the amusement of Mr. Rebow, in whose park they exercised, and kept as a sig:ht for the nursery-maids of Essex. Then they were sent to the Cape. 'here they may get a taste for fighting ; and it is possible that as they are to be paid for fighting, they may enter into an arrangement with the Caffres to keep fighting. On this observation Lord PALMERSTON remarked, that it is easy to make a joke out of anything ; but he never thought to hear such a joke made with so serious a countenance. At the suggestion of Mr. HENLEY and Sir Torre Waren, Mr. ADDERLEY withdrew his motion.
The Committee agreed to the vote, and a little later the House resumed.
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