Belisha's Boys

To graduate, a full-fledged officer and gentleman from Sandhurst or Woolwich, the academies in which most British Army commanders have been trained, a young man has needed $1,500 for the 18-month course. Last week the aggressive "Tory Socialism" of rambunctious War Secretary Leslie Hore-Belisha made a heavy dent in the money barrier which for generations has kept sons of Britain's lower orders from becoming brigadiers. His Majesty's Government announced that Sandhurst and Woolwich scholarships would be available to every candidate able to pass the tests; furthermore, special grants of -L-20 a year would be made to impoverished subalterns. This was capped with a new system of speeding the promotions of young officers, speeding the retirement of elderly officers. Mr. Hore-Belisha crowed: "These new measures insure that an army career throughout its various stages will now be possible for an officer without private means!"

Most startling of all, the War Secretary on one day promoted 2,000 army officers. Mr. Hore-Belisha's pen stroke will cost the British taxpayer $1,800.000 additional the first year in increased officers' pay, later $3,000,000 annually. Under the new regulations "all reasonably competent officers" can expect to serve at least ten years with the rank and pay of major, after which the less competent majors will be given a de luxe bums' rush out of the army, retiring at the early age of 47 to live for the rest of their lives on a pension of about $2,000 yearly.

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