Mr. Wyndham, who introduced the Army Estimates on Thursday night,
made a very good impression on the House, and showed that he was in touch with the better military opinion on many points of detail. We learn with great pleasure that the War Office is at last going to show itself reasonable about regimental feeling in regard to " facings,"— things which mean so little to the civilian and so muoh to the soldier. If all the battalions of any one regiment can agree in asking for " facings" once worn by them, the application will be considered on its merits. If the country is wise it will see to it that this official promise is construed liberally and not pedantically. Of the nine infantry battalions authorised last year, five have already been raised, and the remaining four will soon be ready. Last year the number of recruits raised was thirty-eight thousand four hundred and sixteen,—a record. No doubt the efficiency of the Army has been considerably increased under the present Government, but we hold that two things ought still to be done. More attention ought to be given to the Militia, and the Artillery should be still further strengthened. We should also greatly like to see one of the Irish Line regiments converted into a regiment of Foot Guards with three battalions. By making three years of previous service there a condition for enlist- ment in the Royal Irish Constabulary we might easily raise three battalions of exceptionally fine physique.
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