2nd Military Member.--SMITH-DORRIEN. Has been with great success in every campaign for the last 20 years, has been _Adjutant-General_ in India (a much bigger billet than _Adjutant-General_ in London!). He is _young and energetic_ and is an extremely conciliatory and accomplished gentleman and would work the personnel of the Army (which would be his chief function as the Second Military Member) far better than some “safe” old man because he is in touch with the young generation. He took a Marine Officer of the Mediterranean Fleet as his A.D.C. when appointed a Brigadier in South Africa, because he considered him the ablest young officer in the Malta Garrison! Utterly shocking all the Military Mandarins. “_Vote for Smith-Dorrien and Progress!_” “_Every vote given against Smith-Dorrien is a vote for ----_” [_A lady who then “ran” the War Office!_] 3rd Military Member. Supplies and Transport.--_General Plumer_. The only man besides French that _never failed in anything he undertook in Africa_! They say he has “the luck of the Devil,” but the fact is that “the luck of the Devil” is wholly attributable to a minute attention to anything that will ensure the success of his (Satanic Majesty’s) designs, and he leaves nothing to chance! Such is Plumer! He also is young, energetic and enthusiastic. “_Vote for Plumer and a full belly!_” “_Every vote given against Plumer is a vote given for paper boots and no ammunition!_” 4th Military Member--_General F. G. Slade_, now Inspector General of Garrison Artillery--has served in six campaigns and always come out top: has been in the Horse, Field and Garrison Artillery and commanded at Gibraltar. He is _young and energetic and enthusiastic_ and will blow the trumpet of the Board (_as well as his own!_). “_Vote for Slade and hitting the Target!_” “_Every vote given against Slade will be a vote given in favour of some d--d old woman._”... * * * * * 1904. _Jan. 31st._ Post Office Telegraphs. Government Despatch No.... “Await Arrival.” Lord Esher Windsor Castle. In reply to your telegram just received our committee manœuvres commenced at Portsmouth on December 30 beating Moses by nine days as he took 40 days before he got down from the Mount with his report but if you refer to submarine manœuvres I have last night put them off to February twenty third to last three weeks from that date stop I see we are accused of not giving credit to the good motives that have always actuated the War Office stop Why is the War Office like hell answer because it is paved with good intentions Sir John Fisher Portsmouth. [Not bad for an official telegram!] * * * * * 1904. _Feb. 1st._