1899.]
The Army Estimates.
[41
the condition of the armament of our defences at home and abroad. This inquiry revealed the necessity of carrying much farther than hitherto contemplated the process of replacing muzzle-loading guns, now forming so large a proportion of the armament, by a smaller number of modern breech-loading and quick-firing guns. In concert with the naval authorities a scheme of rearmament was drawn up based on a consideration of the nature of attack to which each station was liable, and of the importance attached by the Navy to its defence. A satis- factory feature of the scheme, when completed, would be a material reduction in the number of garrison artillerymen required to man our defences in time of war. It was .proposed to defray the cost of the works by loan, and that of the guns, mountings, ammunition and stores from the annual estimates.
The estimates of the previous year included provision for six batteries of field guns, and it was intended to include a like number in the estimates of the two following years. Of the total of eighteen batteries of guns fifteen were to be horsed and manned as part of the increase of the Army, the remaining three constituting a proportionate increase to the reserve guns. It was subsequently thought desirable to provide the whole of the eighteen batteries of field guns during 1898-9, and orders were given for their early completion.
All batteries of horse and field artillery were to be converted to a quick-firing system, and the conversion was proceeding with rapidity. The increased rate of firing which would be obtained with the new system made it necessary to provide a larger supply of ammunition and of waggons to carry it in the field ; suitable provision was made for this purpose in the vote.
Statement of the principal points of difference between the estimates of 1899-1900 and those for 1898-9 :—
Increases. Amounts provided in Supplementary Estimate for 1897-8 in relief of 1898-9 on account of :—
Warlike Stores
Clothing
Provisions, Forage, etc.
Pay, Provisions, Messing, Clothing, Equipment, etc., of additions to the Army : —
(a) Programmes of 1897-8 and 1898-9 -
\b) Programme of 1899-1900
Militia and Volunteers
Clothing Services (Regular Forces)
Armaments and Stores
Works (including Barracks Act Annuity) -
Decreases.
Manoeuvres
Amounts provided for Clothing and Stores in Supplementary Estimate of February 14, 1899
War Office (3,600/.), Non-effective Votes (16,500/.) and Mis- cellaneous Items (42,800/.)
Increase
Variations due to Policy
£169,000
41,000
117,000
299,000
146,000
Automatic Variations.
£298,000
160,000
60,000
814,000
20,000 61,000
771,000
100,000
100,000
8,600
888,000 68,800
208,600
58,800
667,600
829,200
lie
