Page:The Next Naval War - Eardley-Wilmot - 1894.djvu/21

 other than for this purpose. If a portion of Ireland was turbulent the Admiralty were applied to for one or more companies of marines. In small wars they had been found an excellent force for doing the rough preliminary work and clearing the way for those who reaped the chief honour and glory. But this would be—if war ensued—a struggle in which the Navy could not spare a man. How had we lost sight of the fact that the best military organisation for this country is one which enables it to despatch expeditions with promptitude to any part of the world? Not only one, but several. In 1809 we had forces operating in Walcheren, Sicily and Portugal. After an unseemly wrangle, it was agreed that four regiments of the line and a battalion of marines should be allotted for the duty.

By this time the Prime Minister and his colleagues had agreed upon an answer to the French demand. It was to the effect that while they recognised their pledge to withdraw the troops maintained in Egypt as soon as the condition of the country warranted such a step—and it should be redeemed the moment this condition had been reached—this country could not consistently with its dignity afford the assurance that any directions would be given within the limit of time stated in the French note. While all felt that no other answer could be given, it seemed certain that war between the two countries must inevitably follow.