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    ffjsBRTTACT 24, 1855] THE L E A PER. 173

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    Imperial Parliament. Tjmt "Wl«»—Ministbu...

    fho annv would be provided in time to be of use for the ™ = rine campaign . I can assure the hon gentleman and rtfaHouse that no efforts shall be omitted to secure the Jumpiest despatch of that clothing ; and I entertain not £ e slightest doubt that it will arrxve of the proper qwditr aid in due time . . I believe that I have now tSed upon most of the remarks which have been made during the discussion . Nobody disputes the rniportance of having a large and effective army . I don ' t » m > rehend that any hon . member objects to the amount of force Sat we propose , or to the extent of the other mea ^ s required to make that force effective . I trust that , between this and the opening of the next camnai <* n the Government will be able to organise a sufficient army of reserve to give it the power of putting into the field a force sufficient to cope with whatever

    difficulties it may have to contend . And I am perfectly satisfied , if that army shall be called upon to vindicate the honour of England , and maintain its interests by the continuance of the war , that the country will find that the duty required of it will be well performed—that the experience of the last few months will have enabled us to correct those faults and errors which have unfortunately been committed , and that by the various instrumentalities which the Government are setting to work to reorganise and rearrange the different departments of the service , we shall be able to send into the field an army of which the country will be proud , and whose achievements will , I trust , deserve the thanks and acknowledgment of Parliament . " 353

    After some further discussion , the vote of 7 , , 000 * . was agreed . ABHY SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT . On Tuesday Lord Panmure moved the second reading of this bill . The Earl of Ellenborough expected that on the second reading of so important a bill some explanations would have been made . Without wishing to oppose it , it . was a strong measure which demanded great consideration . Some limit should be assigned to the term of enlistment , and , as the war would probably be at an end in three years , he would propose that term in committee ; Parliament could than , if necessary , grant an extension . "I observe , " said Lord Ellenborough , " that

    the number of recruits expected or desired to be obtained during the present year is 60 , 000 men , and I find also that the increase of the establishment proposed in this year is 35 , 869 , but I apprehend at the present moment , considering the great losses sustained in the Crimea , it cannot be supposed that the effectives will be very materially increased . Taking the effectives on the establishment at 24 , 131 ^ the number in which the present establishment is dencient , and the number by which it is to be increased , would only bring it up to the 60 , 000 for which provision is made . If , indeed , the 60 , 000 recruits could be obtained in one day , no doubt on that day the army would be in a perfect state of efficiency , and up to the complement which has been voted by the

    House of Commons . But observe—in this calculation no provision has been made for the casualties which are to be expected during the present year . I apprehend , under ordinary circumstances , if we were not engaged in actual-. war ,.-we .. could . _ npt _ expect that the casualties from various causes would be much less than" 12 ^ 000 men , and I am sure I take a very low estimate of the probable casualties of war when I put them at 18 , 000 more ; and therefore , in addition to the 60 , 000 recruits required to complete the establishment , if they were obtained to-morrow , he will require 30 , 000 more , in order , on the 31 st of March , 1856 , to have the actual establishment up to the strength of 60 , 000 men now voted by Parliament . This is a very serious state of things .

    In the expected supply of recruits the militia wa 3 greatly depended , upon , which entailed the necessity of measures for keeping the militia as full as possible . Tho lords-lieutenant of counties should be urged to use their utmost endeavours , and the Government should use their power over the Poor-law guardians to compel them to make up a certain quota for each union ; and recourse might bo had to fines for non-compliance . In looking over the estimates there appeared a great increase in the number of officers of all grades below lieutenant-colonels , but in that grade tho number was about tho same . That was very wrong , for such officers were required , in order that the movements of battalions might be thoroughly understood . Each regiment was to bo increased , but broken up into small brigades , probably divided over Corfu , Malta , and the Crimea . This

    was riot giving fair play to tho officers , who would never become efficient whilst commanding only small bodies of men . Nor would it be fair to tho men , for the esprit die corps , and all discipline would bo done away with . It was painful to see that there was no combination ; while the Turks were fighting in Silistria our army waa dying at Varna ; and while wo wore fighting at Sobastopol tho Turks were not yet in the Crimea . "I rejoico that in the midst of a great deal of regret on various subjects , I have at least to congratulate tho noble earl at the head of the Foreign Department on two events which appear to me to bo a very good augury and extremely valuable in themselves . How far diplomacy lias affected them I know not , but I really envy tho satisfaction which tho noble carl must have enjoyed when the convention was signed with Piedmont . I look up 6 n that as contributing

    a valuable force to the common exertions of the Western Powers . I envy him the satisfaction he must have enjoyed , because I must say that of all the events which have occurred since 1848—events which have generally been creditable to the smaller constitutional Powers of Europe , whose conduct almost universally has been far superior to that of the great . Powers in the emergency in which they were placed—I . say of all the measures adopted , " that which most conduces to the credit , of the Piedmontese statesmen 'by whom it was adopted—that which most conduces not only to their present credit , but to the future interests of their country , is that convention , by which Piedmont joins the Western Powers . That , of all other measures , is destined to find a place in

    history as one of the most admirable transactions and most remarkable acts of a long-sighted Government . I congratulate the noble earl and the statesman at the head of the Piedmontese Government , the people and the army of Piedmont , on that event . They have taken by it a new position in Europe , and have justified the expectations entertained of their virtue and wisdom , and I most earnestly hope that they may get the reward they so justly deserve in the advantage to be derived from the measure in question to their country , and in the honour which they deserve to have for themselves . ( Cheers . ) I deplore the loss of the Duke of Genoa , as noble a soldier as ever met an enemy in the field , and who , if he had been spared , would have shed another ray of

    honourof that honour which never deserts them—on the head of the illustrious military family of which he was so great an ornament , " Lord Ellenborough also congratulated Lord Palmerston on the recent Turkish convention . " We have done little or nothing unless we place Turkey in a position in which she will be able to protect herself until the other Powers of Europe may come to her assistance . I know nothing that cm tend so directly to the revival of the Turkish empire as the revival of the Turkish army . It has had at no distant period an army more instructed , more disciplined , and more scientific than any army known in Europe at the time , though that was the time of Charles V . IJcnow not why at this time she should not be capable of producing an

    army of equal merit ; but this I know , that in States such as that is , the only possible chance of revival is in the reconstruction of an array . When a state is falling in virtue the last place virtue leaves is the army in the field . It was so in the fall of the Roman Empire , when the highest virtues still adorned the army , while everything that is corrupt existed in the court . And , my lords , I feel satisfied that if you can in any way reconstruct the Turkish army , you will give to that country the chance of reconstruction in other respects " which it never-yet had , and which may friee the future government of that country from many difficulties OTid dangers to which it has been recently exposed . " He thought , however , that the Turkish contingent

    might well be increased to 30 , 000 , and there was no reason why the French should not engage a similar number to serve on the Pruth , as such diversions were most necessary to the success of the Allies . " My lords , it has been to me a deep subject of regret Government should not have paid attention to the importance of the war in Asia . I entirely concur in all that has been said and written by that able gentleman who , more than any 6 tber 7 is" acquainted "" with- the affairs of-Asia—I mean Mr . Layard . We are not only a European , but an Asiatic Power . To us this war has a double interest and importance . It affects us , not merely as regards the coasts of the Mediterranean , or tlie manner in which Russia may cet possession of Constantinople and establish

    her fleet in the Black Sea , with a view to the destruction of our commerce and our position there as a naval Power ; it is of importance to us , as it affects greatly our position in the East . Upon the result of this war depends the communication with India through Egypt . Upon the result of this war depends the question whether Turkey shall possess any independent strength in Asia Minor . If Russia conquers , that strength will fall . All communication between Turkey and Persia is cut off . Persia becomes subject to Russia , and all the power of Persia , through Russia , will be against us in India . I most earnestly desire that in addition to these Turkish troops wo should have the aid of Persian soldiers . The Persians form the very bestsoldiors , equally able with those of other countries , to bear heat and cold , bravo as their swords , and obedient to their officers whenever , they are paid . But , my lords , there is another Power whose

    assistance I think we have a right to claim in tliis wara Power most deeply interested , whoso existence as connected with Indin is , I will not say dependent on the result of this war , but most materially connected with it —I mean tho Government of India . Is the Government of India to stand aloof in this war , which afiecta Persia , and which affects tho communication through Egypt ? Is that Government to do nothing V la she to be the Prussia of the East ? Ib she to let others fight her battles ? I think not . In addition to 30 , 000 Persian soldiers that could with great effect be opposed to Russia in Asia , why should wo not have tho use of the noblest artillery in tho world—tho native artillery of India ? You can have forty-eight guns without the smallest inconvenience to tho service in India—not served by men who will run away when tho enemy is advancing to their muzzles , but who will die at their guns ; who may have their guns taken from them , no doubt , but who

    will never desert them , standing at their post till left dead men . Then there-is the irregular cavalry , than , which there is no nobler body of men in the world . The officers are selected from the whole army of India —men full of daring , full of knowledge , genius , and zeal , to whom the soldiers are devoted , and who would follow them to the end of the world . Of those you can easily have 3000 or 4000 , officered by the best men in the world , and the men , being Mahomedans , might bring over with them volunteers from the various regiments in the service of the Government of India , so that thus you might have eight or ten battalions , officered by men —some of whom we know by name—equal to any you

    possess in the army . Thus , then , including the Turkish and Persian troops , you might have an army of 50 , 000 men , which would be strong enough to give you Teflis and Georgia . Observe that in this war before Sebastopol you are enclosed by the town and by the enemy , - and you have no means of contact with the people of the country . But in Georgia you would have the feeling of the nationality of the country in your favour . We would have allies by our side . We would have Schamyl and the Circassians , and would have an opportunity of attacking Russia with the arms she has herself used for

    the purpose of subjugating a large portion of Europe . You would attack her with her own arms , and you may depend upon it that in this war you must fail unless you determine to appeal to nations and not alone to armies , unless you will avail yourselves of the means which the national feeling of the people more recently annexed to Russia places at your disposal . This is a war , I regret to say , ad internationem , and it is absolutely necessary that you should avail yourselves of every means in your power , for the purpose of bringing it to a conclusion honourable to this country , safe for us , and safe for the rest of the world . " ( Loud Cheers ' )

    The Earl of Harrowby reiterated the necessity of making the war a war of nations . Lord Panmure had not expected so enlarged a statement of Lord Ellenborough ' s views on the second reading . He consented to the suggested term of three years , believing , too , that the war would be over by that time . He had distinctly stated that the object of the bill was to enlist men of tried sinew , rather than boys of eighteen . There was no difficulty in recruiting , and doubtless not only lords-lieutenant , but everyone who had the power , would endeavour to assist ; but the militia must be resorted to . The suggested system of fining poor-law guardians was tried in the last war , and failed . The question of the lieutenant-colonels

    had attracted Lord Panmure's attention , and he had already instructed the commander ^ in-chief , instead of making the complement of each regiment one lieutenantcolonel and three majors , to make it two lieutenantcolonels and two majors . It was intended for one lieutenant-colonel to be with the portion of the regiment in the field , and the other with , the remainder at home . Of each regiment of 2000 , half the number would be at home . " The noble earl proceeded to address your lordships on various subjects connected with the war , and he enlarged upon the course which the Government have taken with reference to the convention entered into with Piedmont . My lords , in every word said with respect to that convention I entirely concur . I also concur most

    entirely in the high compliment which fie paid to that gallant individual whose loss we all deplore ; and , my lords , to show the sincerity with which the Piedmontese Government are acting in this matter , I may state that not only are they affording to the Western Powers the aid of their troops , but they are sending in command of them' the man whom they recognise as most fit above all to take charge of their troops ^— namely , their present Minister of War . ( Cheers . ) Tho noble earl next proceeded to congratulate my noble friend ( Lord Clqfjendon ) upon having achieved a convention with Turkey , by which a certain body of Turkish troops are to be maintained in British pay . It is not necessary to follow tho noble earl in the details to which lie has adverted . Of

    course her Majesty ' s Government view with the same satisfaction which he does the conclusion of that convention . Wo see much benefit to be derived , not only by the English but by tho French army , from the Turkish contingent ; but we do not say how that contingent is to be raised , or to what extent it is to be raised , beyond what was stated in tho terms of the convention itself . With reference to any assistance wo might be able to obtain from tho Indian Government , I confess that the noble earl speaks with somewhat more conviction upon his own mind than I can speak with conviction upon mine . Ho has filled a high office in Indiaand he ht to know more of tho feeling of

    , oug tho Indian Government , and more of tho relations of the people of India , than I can pretend to know . But it must be a very aorioua consideration that can induce us to withdraw from Indin such troops afi tho noble earl has described , and I could not ventnro to Express an opinion upon that subject without being thoroughly acquainted with the views of the Governor-General of India nt this moment as to the state of that country ; nor , further than withdrawing those few regiments belonging to the Qucon ' 8 service , to the-withdrawal of which tho Govornor-General has given hia full acquiescence , would I venture , merely for the sake of employing Indian regiments in the Crimea , to deprive

    Ffjsbrttact 24, 1855] The L E A Per. 173

    ffjsBRTTACT 24 , 1855 ] THE L E A PER . 173

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 24, 1855, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24021855/page/5/