The Melbourne correspondent of the Daily Chronicle gives details of
the scheme of the Federal Army devised by General Sir Edward Hutton, and now approved by the Federal Govern- ment. The scheme provides for the complete organisation of (I) a mobile field force capable of being sent anywhere in Australia at short notice; and (2) a garrison force to defend vulnerahle spots in each State. The field force will consist on a peace footing of 13,911 men and 60 guns, capable of expansion in time of war to 26,333 men and 84 guns. The garrison force will be composed of 11,896 men and 26 guns, exclusive of the rifle clubs, which now total over 30,000 men. Thus it will be possible for Australia to put in the field or in her forts in time of war at least 68,000 men. Both field and garrison forces are composed of Volunteers or Militia, acting under the instructions of a nucleus of some 1,500 professional soldiers. The scheme, it is stated, involved concessions to the Australian democracy, two notable points being that none but the professional soldiers can be sent out of Australia, while the Federal Army is by statute declared to be essentially a citizen (although partially paid) army.
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