§ Order for Committee read.
§ *(5.50.) THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOIL WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey GuildfordI rise with some feelings of regret in view of the fact that I have for the second time to introduce to the House a very heavy war Budget, and 367 still more, perhaps, because numerous circumstances have occurred in the past year which make it necessary for me to trespass at some length upon the indulgence of the House. I cannot help rising also with some feelings of satisfaction; because when the day arrives to unfold the scheme which the War Office may have adopted for the year which is to come, we relieve ourselves of a great deal which is embarrassing in our ordinary work. It has been said, I believe, of troops in action that there is no time so trying as that which is spent waiting under a heavy fire without being allowed to return it, and certainly that is the position the War Office occupies before the country for 364 days out of the year. We are continually under attack; and the day on which our statement for the year is made is one which I welcome in this respect—that it enables us, at all events, to take the initiative—I will not say the offensive—in the action. Sir, I do think it is most important, amidst the great number of subjects which jog each other for our consideration when we are carrying on a great war, and also the re-organisation of our Army at home, that, at all events on one occasion, there should be an opportunity of studying great problems without obscuring them by minor details, when we may leave criticisms to take their course, when we may discuss our organisation from a broad and national standpoint, and not have Party motives imputed to us. I ask for the indulgence of the House tonight. I shall not abuse it, for I do not propose to enter into any of those controversial points with regard to the war which are raised in subsequent Motions and which are present to all our minds, except so far as they affect the military programme of the Government and the progress of our military preparations. And, Sir, it is not necessary for me tonight to speak simply as one having a brief for the Department, or as representing the Government, when I ask, as I do ask, that I may be heard, in placing our military policy before the country, as pleading for more consideration in some respects than we have yet had given to us.