ON WAR.
TORD WOLSELEY has just told the public through the columns of the Fortnightly Review that the article on
• " War," in the latest edition of the "Encyclopmdia Britannica," is the best of its kind that has yet appeared. We turn to it, and find the praise deserved. In presence of Armies reckoned up by millions, even those to whom the subject is repulsive must sometimes turn their thoughts to the consideration of War, what it has become now, and by what means it should be waged; while to professional minds, and minds profes- sionally trained, the new facts brought about by the greatest innovator, Time, are of ever-present and absorbing interest. How could it be otherwise, when the safety of States, and in no small degree civilisation itself, depends on the answers to the questions which the sphinx of Science is never wearied of pro- pounding P If the substance of the sanguinary method of settling differences permitted to mankind is the same, the means employed and available are radically altered from what they ever were ; and it is the effects produced by these means which have to be scrutinised and rightly recognised, for a neglect to do so will surely entail consequences, dire, and it may be fatal. That duty is acknowledged and acted on in many quarters ; notably in the brilliant and thoughtful essay by Colonel Maurice, which has been hall-marked by a com- petent judge. The stupendons change made visible in the size of armies strikes the popular mind, yet still seems to be hardly realised in all its depth and breadth. The weapons, explosives, and processes which impartial science scatters with a lavish hand, excite and appal the imagination. The means of rapid move- ment afforded by good roads, multitudinous railways and steamers, of swift communication through telegraph and tele- phone, are also seen, if not thoroughly appreciated, even by people who know that whatever facilitates commerce facilitates warfare. The composition of modern Continental armies, which include men of all ranks, classes, and degrees of in- tellectual cultivation, is another change so vast that it is with difficulty brought within the limits of the understanding. But all these novelties, and novelties they still remain, are the outward shows of something greater, the firm and elastic organisation of such myriads of men and materials, and, at least in one conspicuous instance, the daily and hourly training of the whole, collectively and individually, with a single eye to the work they will have to do in war, whatever it may be, and however varying the conditions in which it has to be done. And all nations, whether they like it or not, must follow the example to the best of their ability, under penalties which will come due, should there be deliberate refusal or supine neglect. It is one of the burdens which what is called "Progress," especially material progress, has laid on the backs of the European peoples. Success in war may be frustrated by what some call accident and others fortune ; great Generals only come once in a century, frequently when least expected, and are, therefore, unknown quantities : still, that Power which provides an organised force, adapted by its training in time of peace to all conditions, foreseen or unforeseen, stands the best chance of final victory.
There seems to be a touch of irony in demanding business- like war-instruction for men who are to wage war. The nature of the facts is so plain, and withal so imperative, that one might almost expect the thing to come of itself. Long- range cannon and breech-loading rifles appear to cry out in vain against the demon of drill and parade movements which, at the best, and they have a best, are not the end, but the means to the end. As the foundation of solid discipline, unhesitating, or rather instinctive obedience, and orderly movement, they retain all their value ; but there it finishes ; for in the shock of battle experience has shown that drill disappears, and each man or group of men acts by itself, the instinctive habit of working together giving confidence and consistency to the efforts of the whole. Surely, therefore, the training should be of such a sort as will the most nearly fit men to act effectively under the conditions rigorously imposed by warfare in its new forms. And the training must be thorough, permeating everything and always there, creating a soldier who, whatever happens, will make the best of the situation. Colonel Maurice happily says that organisation should be sub- stituted for drill,—that is, a living organism for a mechanical instrument. Nothing could more strikingly show the change in warfare than the contrast between the Prussians who fought at Leuthen and Rosbach, and the armies engaged at Worth and Gravelotte. In the one, we have rigid divisions and brigades ; in the other, the work is done by companies strung out along the front of battle. Notwithstanding recent ex- perience, we are told by the experts that "the principles of modern fighting as they are now universally understood among the most thoughtful soldiers of all nations," have never yet been applied in action, so that the need for the best all-round individual and collective instruction is greater than ever. Does it prevail in the British Army P Apparently not, since we cling too much to the old ways. "The only prac- tical work," writes Colonel Maurice, "is that which tends to prepare the men, not for the inspection of some General on a parade-ground, but for actual war." Something has been done, but in our Army we are far from the living organism which war demands. Even in the artillery of which we are so proud, the instruction is not thorough, or if thorough, sacri- ficed to delusive display,—" show drill and show manceuvres," illustrated by the officer who said, "Never mind how you fire; get off a puff of smoke just to show where you are ;" in other words, substitute smartness for efficiency. Depend upon it, the next great war will be fatal to those who are content with theatrical effects. The soldiers of Gustavus, Cromwell, and Frederick were grounded on realities, not on pretty shows; and only the spirit which animated them, breathed into our day, can produce equivalent results. The conditions of the new warfare are exacting and onerous ; but we cannot put back the course of time, and we must fulfil them, or pay the penalty.
The lesson taught by the changes accomplished is that greater intelligence is required in all armies, and throaghout all armies, from the highest to the lowest. The task of the General is more arduous; larger knowledge and greater aptitude are needed by his staff ; more prudence as well as boldness is wanted in corps and division commanders, and intelligent self-reliance in battalion officers, commissioned and non-commissioned. The making and maintaining of an Army, using the term in its largest sense, and whether big or little, always was, but is now more especially, a serious business ; and all should be done that human nature can do to realise Wellington's proud boast, and ensure its ability "to go any- where and do anything." But that duty cannot be accom- plished unless, fully recognising the altered conditions of war, we contrive to satisfy them. There is nothing absolute in military forms, all is relative ; and he is wisest who produces a supple army which, by its inherent principle, accommodates itself to the physical and moral phenomena of an ever- changing world. Towards that ideal institution, the Germans appear to have made a close approximation. In the end, however, the strain may be too terrible for them as well as others ; and should the armies lapse from their high estate, we shall probably see in some nation a relatively small but admirable army arise, under a great captain, and repeat the exploits of Alexander in Asia and rival those of the young Bonaparte in Italy.
One thing, we trust, will not be done, even in this age of experiment and uncertainty as to the play of rival tactics in future battles. Despite the magazine-rifle and long-range gun, the utility of cavalry still remains, and well led, it may be, as of yore, a formidable force in great engagements. War is infinitely varied ; it is the unforeseen which tells with such deadly energy, and it is idle to contend that opportunities will not occur for attacks in flank by rapid horsemen. But it is held that these must be real cavalry of the charging stamp, lancers or swordsmen, and that they must be trained to the business, and not assimilated to mounted infantry. That revival had its counterpart in the original dragoon, a useful arm as first in- vented and applied, but useless in proportion as he aped cavalry proper, which he soon did, just as the value of cavalry proper for battle was impaired when obliged to be half-dragoon. How the problem of keeping the two kinds separate is to be solved, must be left to the profession, but it must be solved if the shock of horse is to tell in battle. One of the things which the new developments have not abolished is cavalry ; all that has happened is that the part it has to play is rendered much more difficult, and the nation which devises the best mode of training and using its horsemen will have a distinct advantage on the battle-fields of the coming years. Its ordinary uses in scouting, outpost duty, and the gathering of information, will preserve cavalry, of course ; but the problem for the brains of the Army is how to restore the might and terror of the mounted soldier, and make him once more dreadful and dreaded under the hard conditions of modern war.
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