A special Army Order dealing with officers' expenses was issued
by Lord Roberts from the War Office on Monday. Extravagance, as the Order points out, has long been for- bidden by Regulations. It is the object of the present instructions, in view of recent financial concessions made for the purpose of diminishing officers' expenses, to ensure that these benefits shall be taken advantage of. Hence com- manding and general officers are to be rendered responsible, under penalty of dismissal from their commands, for the conduct of messes in such a way as to enable those of moderate means to live in the Service. The question of officers' expenses has hitherto been viewed mainly from the point of view of the officer. That it has another aspect is shown by the interesting communication on officers' dress and equipment from a military outfitter in Tuesday's Times. The writer gives chapter and verse to show
that the Regulations governing the dress of officers are so numerous, so complicated, and have been so frequently changed of late that it is "practically impossible for either the officers or the military outfitter to conform with them." For example, there have been twelve changes in the infantry mess jacket alone since its introduction three years ago.
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