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THE STANDARD OF STRIN'~THF.Ql~~i ARMY 25 1
our ~xtend.ed Empire, and offensive ac~.i) ~~certain
contIngencIes agamst other Powers. ' .. ~
What force, then, is needed on a peace footinl: to
meet these various objects?
I should say, to begin with, that about 30,000 men
appear to be necessary, at least, for garrisoning our
fortified depots and fortified commercial centres at
home. Portsmouth, Plymouth, Chatham, the Thames,
the Mersey, the Tyne, the Clyde, Queenstown, and
other places must all have fortifications sufficient to
protect them against stray cruisers, and even against
stronger attempts by sea, which may become possible
by the successful evasion of our fleets. How this can
be done with less than 30,000 men, if it can be done
with even that number, it is difficult to imagine.
Fortifications swallow up men. The Garrison Artillery
on the home establishment appears to amount to about
10,000 men, and with Engineers and other troops to
supplement them a figure of 30,000 is very soon
arrived at. These are all required, let it be repeated,
on the peace establishment. Should war break out,
the garrIsons may perhaps be increased or set free for
other work by mobilizing Militia and Volunteers; but
the brunt of the outbreak, the defence at the most
critical moment, must be borne by the effective garrison
actually in existence.
In addition, there should always be a field force at
home of 80,000 trained soldiers at least, to guarantee
civil order and to meet a descent upon Ireland or a
large raid of that description. Half the 80,000, or nearly
that number, will apparently be required in Ireland
itself, about 30,000 to prevent the scandal that would
be caused by any civil commotion, and the remainder
being added to make sure that no expeditionary force
can effect a soccessfullanding. Many years ago; when
I referred to the actual and indispensable garrison of
Ireland as being about 30,000, military authorities
challenged the statement, holding that although 30,000
soldiers were kept in Ireland, yet this was largely for