Lord Roberts followed with a speech of strong feeling and •
marked pessimism. He confirmed all that the Duke of Bedford had said as to the lamentable want of officers. He was utterly amazed at the Army being treated in both Houses as a party question. He could not conceive how anybody could suppose that there could be an army at all under such conditions. As things were, the nation did not in the least believe in the Army. He knew that the leaders in both Houses were anxious about the future, but they did not dare to communicate their fears to the country. He failed to understand for what purpose the Territorial Army was intended. There was neither an army to defend the country nor an army to send abroad. It was a marvel to him how anybody could see what was going on in Europe and rest content with the Army as it was. Territorials marching before the Lord Mayor would not make an army. Trained men were necessary. He begged the Government to take the country into their confidence and to tell it the truth. The number of officers was "thousands upon thousands short." Since 1905 nothing had been done to improve matters. The Motion for a special inquiry was carried on a division by 73 votes to 22. We detest the role of alarmists, but we have no option but to express our belief that Lord Roberts's warnings are well founded.
