The Army, the Committee declared, could be cut down by
50,000 men without reducing the forces employed abroad. Overseas garrisons might consist of half-a-battalion apiece, instead of a battalion, as the fire-power of infantry was much increased by the use of machine-guns. Tho Guards might garrison Malta and Gibraltar. Twenty-eight battalions and twelve depots could be disbanded ; the Committee took no account of the six Irish regiments, or twelve battalions, that are to disappear. The Committee proposed to cut down the staffs, to reduce if not to abolish the new scheme of Army education, to treble the fees at Sandhurst—thus reserving commissions for the sons of rich men—to cease recruiting for the Militia, and to halve the cost of the Territorial organization. The Army Estimates would thus be reduced from £75,197,800 to £55,000,000. The Air Force should cost £10,000,000 instead of £15,000,000. Training and research must be greatly curtailed.
