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252 ~ .. )l)JIC INQUIRIES AND STUDIES
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reasonsr~s.'ivenience, and a garrison of 10,000, it
'Was,~.d, would suffice. I ascertained, however, that
jf' .ne opinion of the highest civil authorities in Ireland
nothing less than 30,000 was considered sufficient, the
object being not merely to hold the country with a firm
military grip, but to prevent even the beginning of a
rising. In putting down 40,000, therefore, as the need-
ful force to be stationed in Ireland for all objects in
time. of peace, including the stoppage of raids at the
outbreak of war, I believe I am not so wide of the
mark. l The estimate, again, of other 40,000 troops at
home, in addition to garrisons, does not seem ex-
travagant. We must be ready in Great Britain against
raids at the outbreak of war on at least as great a scale
as we are ready in Ireland, and even the chances of
civil commotion are not wholly to be overlooked.
Along with the garrisons of fortified places, there-
fore, we should on this estimate always require at
home on a peace footing about 110,000 trained soldiers
-30,000 for garrisons, and a field force of 80,000. If
we had such a field force it is obvious that incidentally
an emergency like the late South African war could
be met. The field force could be sent away and reserves
of some kind called out to take their place. But equally
the force must be there on a peace footing before such
a use could be found for it.
I have to call special attention to the phrase" trained
soldiers" which I have used. There is a great deal of
confusion in these matters, from the way in which, for
certain purposes, the numbers on the home establish-
ment of the Regular Army are spoKen of. These
numbers, by the last estimate, are 155,000, which is
45,000 in excess of the number of trained soldiers re-
quired. Unfortunately the 155,000 comprise a vast
number of raw recruits and immature youths who can-
not be considered fit for service, to the number of
perhaps 90,000 altogether. Deducting this 90,000 from
1 See also the references in the debate on Mr. Brodrick's Resolu-
tions to Mr. Childers's letters at the time of the Majuba business.