Lord Northbrook, Under-Secretary for War, stated on Tuesday in the
Lords that Sir H. Storks had authorized him to declare that " as to artillery, small arms, and ammunition the country had never been better provided than at present." Moreover, the effective force of Infantry at home was 40,500, and the Reserve 21,500. That would make 60,000 men,—for in an emergency Ire- land could be garrisoned by Volunteers ; but we should like to know what makes the Government so confident that it will always be able to lay its hand on the reserves. In Prussia the system is simple. If you are liable, you appear ; if:you do not, you are shot by sum- mary court-martial as a deserter. Consequently, everybody appears, and nobody is shot. If English nerves could be braced up to that point, many things would be easy ; but then they are not braced up, nor will be till a catastrophe has occurred. The Government must rely on the Line, and its clear duty is to fill the Line up, and if necessary ask afterwards for sanction. If it does not, we will not guarantee even to this Administration a month's continuance in power.
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