3-085-888 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Debate on the Army Estimates in the House of Commons, 1898. 'Rouge et Noir in the Strangers' Gallery; Mr. Allan would like to know where are the ships to take those two Army Corps; Sir Charles Dilke; Lord Spencer and Lord Lansdowne in the Peers' Gallery; Sir H. Vincent puts in a word for the Volunteers; Mr. Broderick [sic] replies; Mr. Labouchère laments the warlike spirit of the age; Lord C. Beresford: "I would like, if I may, to have a light spar with the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite" (H. C. Bannerman)...the scheme of Army reform introduced by Mr. Brodrick...makes so many changes that the military authorities must feel considerably shaken up. The Army is to be increased by 25,000 men, and it is hoped that the difficulty...in obtaining recruits will be conquered by the new inducements to enlist. The soldier's shilling a day will be paid in full instead of being docked one-fourth...The Artillery is to be increased by fifteen batteries, and reorganised apart from the general system of War-Office control...Mr. Brodrick believes that the effect of all these changes will be such a remarkable increase in the strength and elasticity of the military forces that in three years the country will be able to put three Army Corps in the field'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.