It was announced on Friday that Sir Evelyn Wood, Acting-
Commander-in-Chief, had requested Major-General Sir Henry E. Colvile, commanding the infantry brigade at Gibraltar, to resign his command. General Colvile has refused to resign, and is about to return to England. That Mr. Brodrick would have taken this course without the strongest and best of reasons we cannot believe. We do not, of course, as yet know all the facts, and so we cannot express a personal opinion as to whether Sir Henry Colvile did or did not fail in his nolitary duties; but we do know that those who have con- sidered the facts and are competent to decide the point have not only decided it, but have acted on their decision. This is a great point gained. Hitherto it has been generally believed in the Army that an officer of high rank and good social position would never be dismissed, however strong an opinion the military authorities might form of his competence. Mr. Brodrick, in having shown that this is not the case, has acted with great courage and done a public service. Of course Sir Henry Colvile will be entitled to be fully heard, and Mr. Brodrick will be expected to justify his action. That the Secretary of State for War will be able to do so we do not doubt, but meantime his pluck in facing a most painful and disagreeable duty instead of running away from it cannot be praised too highly.
Previous page
