-Russian entrance to the Indian Ocean through the Persian Gulf its future programme - England will be driven to resist-These and other weak points not to be banished from nation's mind-Suddenness with which Powers can increase naval strength-America instanced in case of her Southern war-Fearful destructive powers The Author's desire to impress none but right convictions as to the nation's weakness and great needs-Captain Lumley's admirable contrast of the old and new military schools-- With the death of Wellington all things military seem to have changed-The Duke's path, and the deviations from it through new ideas-Modern system is to develope indi- viduality-Von Moltke the great organizer of the modern system-His course the very reverse of that of Wellington- Repression of junior officers discountenanced by Von Moltke -The Chief of the General Staff a receptacle of concen- trated reliable information-Military profession more popu- lar under the new system than the old system-Our Reserve system, and its errors and weak points explained-Ablest soldiers of the new school in favour of offensive strategy— New tactics far more suitable for attack-Von Moltke's school places moral advantages of aggressive over physical advantages of defence-Old and new schools typically represented by Wellington and Von Moltke-Readiness of German officers to accept responsibility under their new system-Military education lightly regarded under English old system-The reverse under the new-The militia back-door too wide; more stringent test exami- nation needed-In English army the regimental and military education are at variance-In German the regi- ment and school are one-The two systems explained and Lessons derivable from the Russo-Turkish campaign-Russian mounted infantry under the younger Skobeleff armed with rifles had range threefold that of ordinary carbines- Russian lancers comparatively useless-The lance an obso- lete weapon-Existing cavalry sabre little else-Necessity of mounted infantry being attached to our Volunteer force-Modern firearms have rendered comparatively use- less hitherto cavalry organizations-Cavalry properly availed of none the less important and necessary-Volun- teer artillery practice at Shoeburyness meetings admirable -Colonel's Keate's testimony to its excellence-The Marquis of Londonderry's 2nd Durham Artillery a type of the force-Necessity for a portion of the volunteers being provided and instructed in field guns-The Canadian Rifle team under Colonel Oswald-Arrival in England- Their hearty reception, and winning of the Kolapore prize trophy-Machine gun practice very extraordinary— Desirability of more guns being attached to Volunteer brigades-Officers for the Volunteers will not be wanting Heroism of the 66th regiment at Maiwand-Cardinal Wise- man, Dean Stanley, and Rev. Dr. Raffles approvers of Major Walter Incentive efforts-Meetings of European Sove- reigns to be suspiciously regarded—Bismarck, Gortschakoff, and Ignatieff wire-pullers-Egypt, England's highway to her Eastern Empire, must be by her controlled-Our Admiralty Lords-Sir Thomas Brassey practical—Mr. Childers the "right man in right place "-Needed class of THE VOLUNTEER FORCE. : CHAPTER I. Great changes in appliances and art of war since Volunteer force 1859 organization-Waste and want in Britain's war expeditions-Our disasters with the African Boers-Volunteer force the country's true insurance-Foreign estimate of England's naval and military strength-Austrian officer's view of our great national weakness-Captain Kirchhammer declares British invasion more than practicable-Capture of London by invaders foreshadowed-Easy provisioning an invading army — England's ablest and most experienced officers thorough believers in invasion-French "more than ready" of 1870, and the nation's overwhelm a lesson to England-What would invasion of England mean?-London and our other large towns' incalculable wealth a glittering prize to invaders -Do Englishmen realize the possibility or its effects ?-The Queen's deep sympathy with the Volunteers-Revolution needed in rifle-practice of forceMr. Mullens' prizes developed the weak point-Vast power of riflemen-marksmen against enemy-Louis Napoleon's invasion designs against England foreshadowed personally to Major Walter-Preparedness the great security of a nation-Volunteers of 1799-1804-Great art exhibitions' hoped-for peace results a failure-Our Channel line of defence-Lord Derby on possible consequences of despotism-Possible direction of European armies against themselves-British artisans chief element of our Volunteers-Victor Hugo's description of England's colonies-Their deep sympathy with the mother country. THE great changes in the appliances and art of war since the nation realized, in 1859, the necessity of creating its Volunteer army, have not only demonstrated the B vital necessity for the establishment of the force, but more than ever impressed the conviction that it must be made thoroughly equal in every respect to the national needs. The quarter of a century which has run its course since the enrolment of our Volunteers began has read serious lessons. Rulers and people are awakening to a sense of our insecurity; and although Governments have never yet appreciated the force at its true value, yet we may hope and believe that the pioneers of the movement have not lived in vain. If in 1859 there existed any doubt as to the nation's needs and duties to provide efficiently for its defence, it has given place to rooted convictions that permanence and thorough efficiency must be secured for the new force, and that whatever is lacking to render this certain beyond all possible doubt, shall be supplied. It has passed through all infantine ailments without any nursing or special encouragement from anybody, and now, after being announced "of age," stands before the country an acknowledged real military force, though assuming nothing beyond the distinct purpose for which it was embodied-the Country's Home Defence. Many misgivings as to efficiency have disappeared; the official returns speak for themselves. There is reality in every arm of the force. The nation knows and feels this; the head of the army seems alive to it; and all that now remains is to perfect the force's organization, and render it what it should and can easily be made. We are somewhat like the amphibious Hollander, who with phlegmatic coolness, untiring patience, calm courage, indomitable industry, fought a hard battle with the ocean, and conquered by snatching his domain from the We with him have heaped up riches, and cannot sea. |