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Leader (1850-1860), 4th March 1854, Edition 1 of 1, Page 195

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      preparations absolutely required for success , and even for tie protection of the coasts of E-ngland- ^ yvhen I see that the military and naval force they propose to employ w utterly inadequate , that it is discreditable to this country to enter on a tot with the peace establishment scarcely increased , and to endeavour to persuade itself that that is a little war which is one of the greatest in which ifc has ever been , engaged—I say , ray lords , that having these impressions with respect to the past conduct of her Majesty ' s Ministers in reference to this ipar I cannot give them credit either for watchfulness or for activity . I shall be most happy , indeed , if my forebodin-gs should not be realised , and if those who have shown , to a erot extent , abilities for the conduct of oar affairs in peace ,

      -should exhibit similar qualifications for the conduct of wan . " The Marquis of LaKsdowke ; " My fords , there is one point on which I concur with , the noble earl , namely , 'that this war , which I am ^ afraid I most describe as an immediately impending war , is not a little war , and cannot be considered a little war . But tha . t which I most distinctly deny is , that her Majesty's Government have ever looked at tie waT , for a moment , , in the ligiit of a little war ; and if the neble tfarl-knew more than he appears to know of the preparations'that -have been made to meet that war , and fcfie manner in which those preparations have been conducted , and which , so fkr us there is any evidence lefore the public , have been exhibited 4 a the magnificent fleets bow preparing

      to sail , and ther admirable unity now preparing to be sent out , he would see that all the activity is in favour of the watchfulness , the foresight , . and the determination of her Majestj ' s Grovernment . Ana when the "noble earl comes to look into ' these barticulars , i am confident ne wHl hare the candour to ttvm . mat these preparations iave been ^ effectual , and that ttoey will afford sufficient ¦ ' ¦ ppoof ,. Bet ¦ oBly > i m the * atticu 9 ar details which h « has brought tinder the consideration of the House , &nt v ia everymrticularspreadingorer every portion of the globe , of the watchfulness of the Qneen ' s-servants . Botlest m » add that it Wo ^ ldtakeaway a great deal from the merit and from the affect of that watchfulness , if , having been watchful , they were to -announce the details of that watchfulness to the public And to this House : —evea upon a Question

      propounded by the noble earl in 'Such a manner as to add nothing to the effect of flEat ^ atcttfulness , "ttft-to betray it in Its details to flae enemy * ^ iJmdtSteerg . ' ) . The T 2 arl of Em&bgb *(» & *< 6 h : ft iLet me Say on © single word as to the example jflsfc adduced of the foresight and watchfiainess on the part of the Governnwrft . The tHjfcfe marquis tbas particularly adverted tothe ' magnificent fleet ' now m preparation . That fleet , dry lords , 'consists , I believe , of-eighteen vessels , out' ^ sf which , eighteen vessels seven only bare ever beeaatsea ^ and I -do say that that state of things , ¦ with the chance of their leing engaged with the enemy in a 'fortriierht or lees 1 —eleven untried shins , with ele-ron nnfi-i '« rl

      crews—5 s not a inroof effliet of foresight or of watchfulness . It ^ as Tjredsely to that very point that I was adverting , ; : b « eaTrse 1 do Hunk the state of the negotiations in the early part of November was such , that the Government shoTiKi nave commenced to . " make all tne preparations which they commenced to make two or three months later , and then they wauld have had such a fleet as we were accustomed to . oon-TTtter with—a fieet "which had been at sea , and one in which ' ¦ 31 the officers knew the men , and in which there was sncn a degree of discipline -and experience « s to give a certainty of wnccessl" .

      The Earl of Wj < XxjOW brought the talk to a close by resnapkirtg—how any one could thick that on entering upon a wax like thia , after forty years of peace , it was poBsible for our fleet to be ia the ^ situation expected by Lord Ellenboroagh , was a thing that he could not understand . On a subsequent evening , the Earl of Ellen-BoaouuH , ia putting a question on the subject of the militia , took occasion to blame the Government for sending bo Jorge a military force to Constantinople until a predominant position had been secured in the Baltic His belief was that the fleet intended for t-he Baltic was not sufficient lor accomplishing the great objects which ought to be aimed at . As a measure of national security , the militia ought to be permanently embodied .

      The Duke of Newcastle deemed such discussions unwise and calculated to « nxbarrass . In was intended to call out the militia for-twenty-eight days ; but was not intended to saddle the country with the expense of permanently maintaining an enormous militia force . The fleet about to be sent to the Baltic -was sufficient for its object , arkdtheibrce to remain behind was sufficiently strong to protect our own shores . The Earl of Haiu > wicke adverted to the efficiency of the Russian fleet , and . to the difficulty which -was felt in manning the English fleet . It was true that the services of the coast-guard had been called for ; but the noble earl was convinced that that body of seamen would be found unfit fox anything beyond deck duty .

      On the same night , JVCr , Sidne y Herbert , in answer to a question , stated that seven ecclesiastics will accompany the army of the East—four Church of England chaplains , one Presbyterian minister , and two Roman Catholic priests . Another branch of this subject was ~ Mr . Hume ' s motion , on Thursday , respecting the administration of the army . The course taken by Mr . Home -was to call attention to the report of the Royal Commissioners

      appointed to inquire into the practicability and expediency of consolidating the different departments connected with the civil administration of the army , dated February , 1837 , and signed by Lord Howick , Lord l ' almerston , Lord John Russell , and other commissioners . Mr . Hume moved thut it is the opinion , of tho Mouse that measures bo taken to consolidate , tho difUircnt branches of the military service , ami place the whole under the supcrintenlleuee of one efUeieat aud responsible department .

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      The present machinery , Mr . Hume contended , is anomalous , complicated , and inefficient . It is inconvenient enough in -time of peace , but dangerous and by all means to be avoided in the prospect of war . Mr . Snnrar Herbert mentioned that his experience led him to differ , ia several respects , from the report referred to . tf the ^ circumstances which existed then be looked at , it will he seen that they differ much from what exists now . Differences had arisen between the Commancler-iG-Chief and the Secretary-at-War ( l * ord HbwicJfi , as to certain reforms urged by the ) latter . Since then , many © f Lord Howick ' s recommendations have been carried

      into effect , and otherIafg 6 reforms have been successfully accomplished by suceeetling Sec * efc * ries-ajt-War . Sfr . Hume pointed to the navy bound as a spechnefi of the governing $ 61 W * which he wished to see applied to the army *» d « rtoanee , -But the First Lord of the A . 4 anirailtyact > edunderthe instructions of the Secretaries of State in the distribution of the naval fortse . This was « n £ cessary-arrattg « ment , because it was only thes * Secretaries -Of JStfcte who knew wt&t was needed . The saroeiftiing naust apply to whoever is placed wt the hfead > oF the army and ordnance . He may be entirety t ^ sponsibte , as Mr . Hume wishes him to be . But wTiat is the ttse ttf that responsibility , seeing that % he bfersdn ttvurft

      tsonduct fais operations by ^ tfce opinions'ot Seeretarle * Of State , who alone kttow tfeecircutHStances ? If nis proceedings be « haai «« fedi lie -cttn ^ ly r ^ far to the « eatetnents upon urt ^ sni her aetrfi Mr . Herbert ^ lia not say that matter were j > erfl * rt . Th * or ^ ticaUy , ( the system was faulty , bat pr «^ acaHy , it WAScorrect . He proceeded togi ^ Msiriewfifepaa&rtKhi Changes which lie thotrght wight be advis « M ^ but these were his opim (^ , « vod € id n ^ in > oh ^ ptb « r «; With ; reepect to the cmfiree to 1 » taken at the tateseirt juncture , lie thought wothlnf ooulfl be wore Tash ^ nd inexpedient ttnfe $ 6 introdiwse large chtogfes TfrOm ^ theoretical Consirtesfttions , ScceHt rnSHwry mbre ^ j ments liave ehown * h « t mil the ¦ o ' epartmeats tiimwork harnaoniottsly itogethef . Ajfltfpt 9 ie tfeffolntion , and yoa run the T&i : * of tfawjw 4 ag all into eottTfision . Mtle

      There was / b ^^ ev ^ r / dlflferetree of tigthfioii « to to the ^ eairability of change . 3 k > wJ SriTMotm showed that the "present vcrmgemeitm are too eomj ) lictttetlbat tSiisis mot the uBoment , lie « 9 mftted , to attempt great changes . Sir John ^ P * KtNOToi * , fpe < £ kaBg from the Opposition point of view , Otordtigfy ^ condetntiea the present systecn , and mrged « meridMent ; "Mr . Edward Etwca Mlowed tMe same couwe ; but « Q advised Mr . Mxttnm' not to 'press the motion . Xxnrd John flcssutx i * dhriitted thdt his o ^ lniori was hot much altered sinoe ^ 1837 ; attd rnentioned the "reasons

      which 3 tad prevented the * ecomtBehda 1 ; iOTKi ^ from being carried out to a ^ KMter ^ or lesser extent . He admitted most readily the necessity of more efficient control in niattera connected with the health of the troops . Improvetnents had % een mode in the departments , and would contiwofe to be mfede . A Military Secretary will be appointed to assist ttte 'Colonial Secretary in performing Ms -daties as Secretary of War . Under « sisting citrcutnstcmces , be bepea the motion would not be pressed . Mr . Hume withdrew his motion .

      Mr . G-. LtDDELi . called attention to the following statement which appeared in the Times newspaper : " The intelligence ef the establishment of aJBasaian army in the Orus is confirmed 4 also that an allianoe , offensive « nd defensive , has been concluded between the Russians and Dost Mahomed , the Khan of Khiva , and the King ef Bokhara . " He wished to know whether Che 'Government -were iu possession of any authentic information on the subject of the advance < of the Russian force * and the conclusion of the treaty referred to .

      Sir C . Wood stated that -with respect to the advance of the Russian forces , he believed tnat there was not the slightest truth 3 n the statement . Government had no information whatever of the kind , and the latest information which they had received rendered it almost oertain thatt there could be bo truth ia the statement . In the latest communications which the Government kad received from Mr . Stevens , the consul at Tabreez , dated January A , that gentleman reported his having had a uomvwrea * tion with M . Khamkoff . a Russian officer ia Persia , in the course of w h . ich he stated that he ha . d introduced the subject of the reported Russian expedition to Khiva and Boichara , when M . Khanikoff denied that anything of the kind had taken place . He said

      the report must have originated from the foct that some subjects of Hokaa had erected a Start within the Russian boundary , on the right banic of Syr Dagria ; a body of Russians was despatched thither , which nfter destroying the fort returned to its quarters at lCuimak . So far as be j . Majesty ' s Oovernment were informed , therefore , the report was utterly * unfoundod . With respect to aay alliance , offensive or defeiisivo , having been concluded between the Russians iuhI Dost Maihomed , tliu Kuan of Khiva , and tho King of liokha . ra , * a despatch from Lulw ) re , dated 27 th December , containing intelligence received from tho ne ^ vs writer a . t Caboul , represented that Dost Mahomed was already fully engoged in hostilities with his brother , imd ho did not think that any ne-

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      gotiations of the sott alluded to were at all likely to be going on between the parties , who appeared to have already quite enough on their bands . Ia reply to Captain Scobkil , Sir James GmmAM S A * 4 ^^^ taree BussLan men-of-war ia the Adriatic is true , but there are three British men-ofwar there also , and , if they * re not enough , two powerful French ships . The Russians have been hauled up within the inner mole at Trieste , where our ships cannot get at them . In reply to ^ tiaestionfrom . Mr . Gibson , Xord 3 ohk UtrsBELT . promised that Government would announce its determination with respect to neutrals before war Is declared .

      8 tIP * I-Y * -- * KAVY , ORDNANCB . The House of Commons have peaceably voted the estimates with tine utmost unanimity—only the tr * us tlon of one vote causing any Rebate . The JSavyeatioa&tes were agreed to almost without oommen ^ ilr . W . "Wiw . ixw « alone oraking up old abuses about the balf- ^ ay ofioors on the na ^ y list . Mr . afosrattUfc then Proposed the Ordtumce estimOesk The total snoto is for » , S 45 , « 7 *^ « a inanue of 79 ^ 9 UL over that of last year , and for 19 , S 6 & mwi . A laree portion of tiie increase is rttribtrtjAte

      to Mgrrpriees , btit the greater part of coarse to tfce ^ w « r . ^ ftre nOTeity tjf the estimate , and tnat ^ bJch caused a warm d&bate , U ' a iJtoposal * o e ^ t a ittli factory at Woolwich , at a oost of 15 tt , O 6 or . Mr . 3 oaseU explained at considerabld length th ^ Jhcre exist great difncidties at nreseat in gettii ^ wotetBate 8 uenUes of mall -arms ftom tke inanufactucerJ . ? f In the &xst place Qo& JpfSce , aZ ^^ excieMive i ^ a tlmn ^ xi ^ ^ ders axe zxot ex « cutedQwi ^ a ^ ny r » B 0 ^ blia tone . CoaitractB wiese xad ^ dbtessu ^

      berlast , for 2 C ! , « WK >/ Miui < & riOea , « nd ^« incetthalrdate variousxeasoDs , 4 tuch as a fitanbe an 4 jmv » caloiiUriifep % % ime been afleued ibr Ike aon-fmulineni ; - « t ' < & * ' ** && . . ¦ ' . - . ' .. : ' v ¦ " ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ .. . ¦ >¦ ' - ., ¦ £ • ¦ : ' . ,. < " Knowing these facts , the ^ qQ « Bsa 4 ^ 0 n ^ 8 r « W ( . « tofefiilr anaa-a sgrvftm adtild ? be ^ ontinaed . ; Thv bBMdlabnslllredr tiwiwhde question , they fou&d tHat Uievrad »>« £ ^ 6 ifan » - ^ t aaderthissyBJtem was St T 3 » fy ttamea £ 0 the JMxbvi Statesjto me&Ahf syetem aiqptei ^ ere , ; andthfly ffpuadjihat llieOoverhment tnare possessed jSibw gun ^ actonaL , ^| nudp . thai ; $ h * y ^ M a ^ Wttipie t » lW 6 i « n ia kbre ^ tiAtt ^ tmiWo unjfiiTrimitinr klwlitAniuill mit ^ J kt <« tl Mi nYHfliiilitd f **» .. i ^ - ^ # - ^ 1 . ; lit ... ¦

      ¦ Kwtaecttratflly&Bt * h ^< c < rala be fitted tt ) g ^ lwt toTWli * i Ctafing the warwitltiMexico theM ^ slabfidbaittiiS ^ sMt ttniS-* efe » « rere la ipfeBW f « nd t " hey < ttfrf » 'jHtV' « ofg&l 3 i ! £% i > Wa 6 ** ri thoat tbtf-suihiteBt ^ difloolty , r »^ rfeW ^ p « eiifftfe ^ ijHi ^» atfj&steiii . ' ®« mA « Krt ^ lUv 6 * n * B « n « thlflg wtthWo ^ rf Purawjr * aige-TnriBkeW ymt 'in the I sttri * -J teisfe H « b ««» ed 4 * ie 1 H <> ttB « * tthis point % o < H »» idiBr Y W ^ at 'Kadi OC * - xmaref in thw coanrtry . In 1841 the pettwistSbtt ffedlc * ma in % r « dac « d , Xhis imprawmetft rendertd *» $ [ "fflib tAil flirit nnwfc * ta useless , it b « mg fownd ^ hiiW ^ fflMft to * 0 OTr »« rtth « BiBto 5 » e « jns « ioM . The 'ehrinfei 'ittHjftW ^^ ai . eBclrmoaS'espense- » nd there was' no « jbs « 1 iee Oertifarfct

      thftt 1 *< j tnuaket nww * boufc m be iflt * aanoe 4 littfld * o « ln * e fer « riy verygrwit'lManiberoP f eArs in t ^ e fkec ^ jf thelin ^ pwrementB ' cooltittuallf taakittg ; It « ppe « t ^ le . hiln , ;< tkere 4 J » pe , a anatteir ef the iUoft importwnee to ^ revid ^ a pUtt %# means of which a l « rge w * wb « r teijtht b * 'tn « t ^ W 3 t i ( fefel 1 in « ntt * Hy , «> that it * m&t * v «« a « o « B » ry % » Ite ^^ enm iitous HttirAer in etor * . When the Oifee ^ Dw * of wcllii ^ ton' ^ rta master , and Lord Harftrige wecreitwy , < of t ! he < 3 jSon * | nce . < flieT decided flat tb » httm « wr trf flMsltew in sW « « 1 ittulfl ba 467 , 000-, but ^ itfti the present wnotiut < ef pfbtitoStm tor . IfobseH thooght tne number In iBllore -sfiOtfld be at ltast Sm ^ m . In this citiatbtiBf tin <« Mfttidfe * e * < enlf tne f e < r « ir © ovBnte of ifcis "Wtiwbry WitftAtat tfcoBe of thte Worries . KoW

      itrpttow the ootBBtry fKMSesMd a pin feetofjr « apfl * 4 o * pr ^ auciftg < VW -nwske ts 4 ulay , f t wo » W Tiot % * lieeossMf to keep -so 'large a snmber in dbtm * 8 # 0 Q , WHfc . W ! t 3 i Bitch a power of production , It wenld'be fi ^ ifcteirt tb bawtel . O ' O f dOi ) in itore ; and « hus tibft risk w « cld bte Mft * gated dt having a great nurtiibet of nms « endW « d "Obsolete by the introduction of new improvements . Let the Hoose for « mftinefnt consliler the pwmniwry i ^ eBtitl of tfete proposed chfcnee . I-nstead ^ 'keeping 800 , 000 nraskebs 'in . rt « re , which would bwee ooit 900 , <) 092 ., we sbonild otAy have U 30 , O 0 O , repWBentin * a oast of # > ff , OW / . Here wotfld * t once be a Raving of the abuttal interest apoa 600 , 000 ? . by the expett " ditwe , Whatever ifc might foe , neoetssdry for the new fectorr .

      wltieAi it was fceltorea , < upen tlw moet careful Hjaleutatibns , tniglut < be eveoteS for l 40 , 0 © 0 f . The factory , too , tronla produce- not only rmaskets , but trttyonets . For the regiment * of the line IIO / GOO mnskets voald be required ; For thtt artillery , I'O . OOO- ) for the n »« kies , 15 . 000 j and for th « MiHUa , 80 , 000 ; making a total of 185 , 000 . A * d to these ) the number in store , 300 , 000 , tbe aggregate wwtild uraoont fco 48 S , 000 , fl » cki » lve of the number required Gir the coolnies . At the riKa - « f 8 L e » oh , these mweksta would eost l , 45 S , © 00 / . Bttt * ocording to the highest authorities the earno nraskets ooakl be produced in tho new ^ JovemiWent faotory « t 80 s . each . In the United States the cost was BTb . The saving , them , opoa tlie iramber he had jtwt natnttrl mm \ d be 727 , 60 O / . ; and then tbe Bavin « from «( he capacity

      of reducing the namber In store from 800 , < 000 to 100 , 060 , by increased producing power , would be an ftotiaa . 1 saving dt capital to tho amount of 600 , 000 ? . All this Sitting WOtild be effected by tho expenditure of 160 , 000 f . - , and ( tgalttst thft * mast be placed tho proceeds nrisinff from the « nlefi t > f the factories at Birmi-ngfiam and Enfiela . Besides , there Would be a great saving upon the bajoneta manufactured . At 7 s . 6 a . each , the present cost , the amounil would be 185 876 / . ; ut Is . Cd ., the prico at which they wuM bo produced in the Government factory , they " wonld cost onlj 86 , 875 / ., than showing a positive saving ot no l ^ p tfHF > ' i j yf" ^> - 145 , 600 / . If nil these great benentu and thxjse gr < ffiyfi ^ ft * ^ jjw-j y * % mlf ®> 'ZZW ^ - ' fit ^( W mM ^

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      March 4 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 195

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 4, 1854, page 195, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2028/page/3/