Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/49

 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

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