ments of the troops with the colours only, we might, by keeping the old clothes longer in wear, be in a better position to fit out our reserve men than at other times; but we shall never be in the position we ought to be in, until the necessity is recognised of holding a reserve of clothing and equipment, specially intended for, and sufficient for, the whole of the reserve men. This, of course, means extra expense; but this need be incurred once only, and this reserve of clothing and equipment could be kept in good condition and of the latest pattern by giving it out when the annual issues are made, and replacing it by new articles at the same time.
Many people have an idea that everything can be done with money. So it can be, if plenty of time be available, but not otherwise. Take the question of the supply of soldiers' belts, for instance, and let any one who imagines that it is only necessary to pay a long price in order to obtain what is required, inquire what amount of leather suitable for the purpose is likely to be available in the market on an emergency. Leather being a perishable article, merchants do not venture to keep a larger stock on hand than is required to meet ordinary demand; and consequently, when the Government wish to have a large order executed at once, it is found that it cannot be done.
The same difficulty would be found with regard to the extra harness and saddlery required for the artillery and the cavalry. Then, again, all the waggons, carts, and harness, to complete our regimental transport and departmental transport, have to be provided. For these purposes large supplies of seasoned wood of different descriptions are required, skilled workmen and efficient overseers are necessary. These cannot all be supplied at a few days' notice. It is very doubtful if we have now in store sufficient waggons, carts, and harness to equip one army corps on a war footing.
Another point of very great importance, as regards the clothing, equipment, and waggons, &c., required, is that their storage should be decentralised. Imagine the press of work and confusion that would arise in the large arsenal at Woolwich if all our forces were suddenly called out, simply in the receiving and storing of the immense amount of war material which, in the course of the first month or two, would be daily delivered there by contractors. Add to this, at the same time, the examination, manufacture, testing, packing, and despatch of innumerable articles of all descriptions to all parts of England, and we may almost say to all parts of the world, and we shall then see no great cause to wonder if delays and mistakes, would be numerous and fatal. All regimental clothing, equipment, and transport should, as far as possible, be stored locally, so that on the outbreak of war there may be no delay in obtaining what is required, and the great strain which must otherwise be put on Woolwich may be removed. We have now, at the headquarters of regimental districts and of artillery brigades, depots where everything required by our troops to put them on a war footing may conveniently be stored; and as regards the cavalry, it would not be difficult to select a few military stations in different parts of the country which would prove equally convenient for that arm.
This is the plan which is adopted by the large military powers of the Continent, which, as a rule,
