Ix BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 



6400. Do you think that the advantage of boys joining the army young counterbalances any 

 supposed or real disadvantages arising from their not being so well educated as at the age of 19 1 



I am presuming that the education of a young officer goes on after he has entered the service, 



but that it is purely military. 



6401. How long would you continue the preliminary education immediately after entering 

 the army 1 — Until he had passed out of his cadet state, and he should then be required to pass an 

 examination for his lieutenancy or captaincy in pure military subjects. 



6402. When you speak of his being in a cadet state, do you mean before he becomes an 

 officer ■? — Yes. 



6403. You have spoken of the standard of examination at present in the regiments 

 as not being systematic; do you think that that leads to a general failure in the result] — 



Certainly. 



0404. (Lord de Bos.) Supposing that you introduced the foreign system of cadets into the 

 English army, would there not be a difficulty as to the men saluting and showing them proper 

 respect, and so on, or would you have them from the first receive that respect ■? — I would. But 

 I would not let such a cadet be an executive officer in any sense. In the Prussian army I think 

 that they must notice him, because the privates salute the corporals. 



0405. Would you have him to belong to the officers' mess ? — Yes ; I would treat him in 

 every way as an officer. 



6406. [Chairman.) Even with regard to the cadet officers, supposing that they were to be 

 attached to regiments, would you have it optional with them whether they were to take advan- 

 tage of any instruction which might be provided or not \ — No, I should not. 



6407. You would make it compulsory ]— I should make it very much the same as in the 

 case of a midshipman. 



6408. {Lieut.-Col. Chesney.) Is it your opinion that in the present state of our infantry 

 and cavalry, every commanding officer is qualified to teach field fortification, and such elementary 

 technical subjects ]— I do not think that they would be so well able to do so as they would be 

 if there was a proper system. 



6409. {Chairman.) You are of opinion that this military instruction ought to be given to 

 officers after they join the army, but at the same time I think you have stated that you would 

 be in favour of the establishment of a large military academy or college, through which all officers 

 joining the army should be compelled to pass, provided that at such an establishment proper 

 discipline could be maintained I — Yes. 



0410. {Lord E. Cecil.) Then it would be a school, and not a college ] — Yes, it would be a 

 school. 



