War Offices and Mechanical Transport
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It is somewhat early to assert that the British War Office is a laggard in respect of mechanical transport, but Germany is wide awake. This country's proud boast has been that Britain leads the world in commercial motoring, and the claim is certainly justified in the spheres of steam wagons and tractors. Cabs and omnibuses, so far, show the foreign-built vehicle predominant, and every credit attaches to those who have kept themselves and their products ahead; inherent prejudice and insularity have not counted, when superior merit has existed elsewhere than at home. Constructors of lorries and tractors for useful loads of five tons have, however, proved themselves to be better able to withstand the challenge of competition from abroad, notwithstanding the undoubted fact that both France and Germany have produced excellent machines of the former type, for the names of De Dion, Purrey, Scotte and Stolz controvert the suggestion that foreign builders have not done much good work outside the petrol vehicle.
We are not, here, concerned to enquire why English makers of " steamers " have repelled any contemplated invasion of their own territory, and have annexed the lion's share of the not inconsiderable export trade which has been completed during the past six years. The fact is interesting from the standpoint that these types of machines can, whether they be utilised during manceuvres at home or for selected work of other kinds, be made to fulfil many of the requirements of the military authorities; but, it has still to be admitted that the British War Office is only feeling its way in the matters of both subvention and purchase. The German scheme, which we published so far hack as the 28th May last, is generous to a degree, in that it provides for constructional premiums as high as L200 per machine, and annual subsidies as high as ,4;50 per machine. We fear that our own War Office is dangerously handicapped by a niggardly Treasury, for it would be discreditable to many competent and far-seeing officers of the R.E. and the A.S.C. to imagine that they are content with to-day's position. Either the Government will find more cash for the supply of up-to-date mechanical transport, or magnificent opportunities will be lost. Experiments cannot go on indefinitely at the expense of the makers, and the German Emperor has seen lit to give orders for money to be spent forthwith. We can only hope that this country will not be more than a year behind him, and that the several contemplated tests and enquiries which are about to be conducted will be crowned with that success which will lead to prompt action, and the necessary provision in the Estimates.