On Monday Mr. Tennant stated that the present deficiencies in
the Army were as follows: Regular Army (May lat), 10,932; Special Reserve (May let), 14,629; Territorial Force (April let), 51,097. As compared with the position on January let, these deficiencies have increased in the case of the Regular Army by 1,753, and diminished in the case of the Special Reserve and Territorial Force by 996 and 12,118 respectively. The fact that the Special Reserve is still below strength by 14,000 is a most serious matter, for Lord Haldane's scheme of mobilization, and the preparation of an expeditionary force, depend very largely for their efficiency upon the men to be supplied by the Special Reserve. The Special Reserve's main function is to supply drafts on mobilization to units below strength. These essential drafts are short by 14,000.
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