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THE STANDARb OF STRENGTH .FOR OUR ARMY 249
detail, but the possibility of even two or three hundred
thousand men being thrown on our shores in a short
time, and kept reinforced, appears not altogether out-
rageous in the conditions stated. If we are to recover,
then, we must be able to defend our home citadel by
Jand, pending the preparation of new fleets.
The fifth object we have to keep in view is the
possibilIty of a formidable attack on some part of our
Empire by Jand, which ive shall have to meet with
large military force. We think of India mostly in such
a connection, and of Russia as a possible assailant, as
we must always remember that the 1. 'ia we are bound
to defend practically includes Afghanistan, with which
Russia in Central Asia is conterminous. But there are
other possibilities also, of which the recent invasion of
our territory in South Africa is an illustration. I can-
not help thinking that we are less secure against land
attack at other points than we are often assumed to be.
When the Fashoda incident occurred, there was no
little amusement at the talk in French newspapers of
making a land attack on Egypt from Algeria. There
was good cause for amusement, as no such attack could
be improvised. But, great as the distance is from
Algeria to E~pt, is it so certain that, in conditions
which are not Inconceivable, an attack of this sort, long
foreseen and arranged, would be altogether without
chances of success such as would encourage adventur-
ous generals and officers? Another possibility is that
Turkey in alliance with other Powers might attack
Egypt from Asia Minor, as Egypt has so often been
attacked in historical times, and our defence might not
be so easy. These are only illustrations. An empire
with land frontiers like those of the British Empire
cannot but need land defence, and those who have
charge of the military forces of the Crown must con-
sider all the chances.
A sixth object was suggested by Mr. Brodrick in his
speech on Army Reform. The Army, it is said, may
have to take part in continental warfare by assisting an