Canada, could be obtained without serious difficulty. It only remains to act upon the plan announced By Lord Lansdowne as the policy of the Government, that 'the Militia should retain its identity, and that it should not be merged into the short-service army, but that, on the other hand, it should be so framed, so equipped, and so officered that it should be fit, when occasion arises, to take its place alongside the best troops of the line for the purposes of foreign service' (House of Lords, March 30, 1905). A considerable reconstruction of the existing Militia units will, however, be necessary, and their reorganization into brigades, complete in all arms and in administrative departments, must be undertaken in a bold and businesslike spirit. 'The possibilities of that admirable body [the Militia],' wrote Mr. Arnold-Forster to the Times on November 30, 1897, 'will never be properly utilized until it be taken seriously by some energetic War Minister. Instead of being the drudge of the army, the despised channel through which officers and men may pass to the line regiments, the Militia should be organized as a self-contained and self-respecting force.'
Legislation would be required in the case of the Yeomanry, so as to place them upon the same footing as the Militia in regard to their service. This has been frequently urged, and would, it is believed, be welcomed by the Yeomanry themselves.
The expense entailed by the increase thus indicated, by the improved instruction of officers and non-commissioned officers, and by an increase in daily pay, could be covered by a reduction of the number of immature youths, unfit for service, who now in so large a measure fill the ranks of the Regular Army. It is stated in the Report of the Royal Commission upon the South African War that in April, 1900, of the Regular Army at home, no less than 37,333 men were immature and not fit for active service. It is certain that at least this number of lads unfit for war are still
