BULLER

(9th Viscount & 1st Earl Midleton, 1856-1942, Statesman, Secretary for War), asking for figures or facts likely to be of use to him in his speech on the introduction of the Army Estimates, he replies that From an Adjutant General's point of view the past year has not been eventful. The decrease noticed last year in absentees has been maintained and the rate for 1896 is lower than that of any year since the introduction of short service. Recruiting has been satisfactory, though 1000 fewer recruits were taken for the Army in 1896 than in 1895... the Army has been continuously up to its Establishments during the year, while both the Army Reserve and the Militia show an increase in their numbers. The quality of the recruits has also improved the percentage of men specially enlisted, that is to say those who from one cause of another first fail to fulfil all the conditions of the standard pattern... this improvement though doubtless chiefly due to the increased popularity of the service is also to some extent due to improved organisation. For example a change in Artillery districts was made at the end of 1895, and the Returns this year show a large increase in the number of Militia Artillery recruits while the Royal Artillery, usually the corps most difficult to fill was 400 over Establishment on 31.12.96. A minimum standard has been introduced for the Volunteers with the result of raising not only their self respect but their estimation in the country at large... the instruction of officers in troop leading is not what it ought to be and more opportunity for giving it to Officers of all arms is urgently needed..., 2 sides folio, no place, 25th January