l. As a matter of fact, I believe this rule applies to all European
nations.

In my mind I doubted whether an invitation to the Japanese Admiral to
send units to take part in the review under the command of--to them--an
alien officer, and to appear without arms, would be acceptable. The
invitation, however, was sent, and an answer was received to the effect
that the Admiral would be glad to avail himself of it, provided his men
would be allowed to carry their arms. It then became necessary to obtain
the approval of the home authorities to permit them to do so. Approval
was given. The review duly took place, and some four thousand Japanese
sailors and marines took part in it. I think I am right in stating that
this was the first time that a British officer commanded troops of a
foreign country under arms in time of peace on British soil.

General Hutton's term of office was nearing its end. For some time
previously a movement had been started to make a radical alteration in
the organization of the forces. Its object was to do away with the
position of Commander-in-Chief and substitute a small Army Council,
assisted by a Military Board. This was following in the footsteps of what
had already taken place at home, where the post of Commander-in-Chief had
been abolished on the expiration of Lord Wolseley's term of office and
the Army Council constituted.

Personally I was against the proposed change. From my point of view I
looked upon it as a risky experiment. The reorganization of the military
forces was still in progress and a master-mind with full responsibility
was necessary to complete it. Further, the proposed constitution of a
small Army Council and Military Board did not seem to me to be advisable.
My objections were chiefly with reference to the constitution and duties
laid down for the Military Board. I submitted a memorandum on the
subject.

The experience I had gained while I held the appointment of Military
Adviser to the Australian Colonies, 1897-99, had taught me how impossible
it would be in time of war, or even in anticipation of a war, to obtain
supplies of warlike stores for Australia, not only from the Continent of
Europe (whence at that time even the Home Government had to import many
essential requirements, such as searchlights), but from England itself.
No further example of this need be quoted than the one given by me with
reference to the scarcity of small-arm ammunition at the time of the
decla