NATIONAL DEFENCE

How important that place is was revealed in the words Lord French addressed to the various corps. In the course of the day the Field-Marshal, who on such occasions appears to scorn the idea of fatigue, travelled some 250 miles, covered quite a respectable number of miles on foot while inspecting the ranks of the Volunteers, and, in addition, delivered four speeches – a programme which might well have daunted a man not possessed of his untiring energy. His speeches – they were the speeches of a soldier, in that they were brief, vigorous, and very much to the point – should do much to clear away any lingering doubts as to the intention of the military authorities to utilise to the fullest possible extent the services of the Volunteers. “The War Office,” he declared, “regards the Volunteers as most necessary element in the scheme of national defence.”

Lord French stated that the meeting in London last week at which the Under-Secretary for War met the leaders of the Volunteer Corps had laid the foundation for thoroughly good understanding between the Government and the Volunteers. On the subject of arms and equipment – those great desiderata of the Volunteers – he made the definite statement that the Government prepared to furnish the corps with all they require.

There is a condition, of course, and it is that members of the force shall undertake to serve for the period of the war. That such a guarantee will be readily given by the vast majority, if not the whole, of the men who have enrolled themselves need not be doubted for a moment. Recruiting should receive a rare fillip in all three counties after a day like yesterday. And it should be realised that there is still room in the ranks for men who are prepared to imitate the patriotic example already set by so many thousands of their fellow-countrymen.