ARMY REFORM.
[To THE EDITOR OF TaR "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Never were truer words written than those in your article on the War Commission Report in the Spectator of August 29th, in which you say regarding " stupid " officers that in other professions advancement is open to young men with brains but without money, while in the profession of a soldier it is not. The Return on Army promotions made last June to the House of Commons clearly exemplifies this proposition. From it may be seen the fact that, notwith- standing recommendations of Military Education and other Commissions and promises of War Secretaries, those who enter the Army with the lowest attainments obtain the quickest advancement, eventually resulting in their being given com- mands over the heads of men who, because they join the scientific corps, are left far in the rear in their relative positions in the Service. The Return referred to shows that the average rate of promotion is quickest in the cavalry, next in the infantry, leaving the Artillery third, and Engineers last. This is the reverse order to which their training would seem to entitle them when it is remembered that as a rule cavalry commis- sions are given to the cadets lowest on the Sandhurst list, while Engineers commissions are won by those highest on the list of cadets passing out from the Woolwich Academy, and who subsequently have to go through a further training lasting nearly two years at Chatham.—I am, Sir, lc.,
TAXPAYIZE.
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