IRELAND AND THE OATH [To the Editor of the SrEcTAToa.1
SIR,—In your issue of August 20th under note, "Ireland," you say that men of the Army Comrades' Association "took once an oath of loyalty to the King." May I ask your authority for that statement ?
I served in the Navy, and certainly no officer or man in that service ever took any such oath in my time. I am almost certain that no officer or man in the Army takes it. I am equally certain that no one in the Civil Service, either, does so. I think the only people who do, are members of Parliament (both houses) and judges ; but am open to correction, of course.
I know from experience that it is commonly said that So and so "—speaking of the Navy and Army—" has broken his oath ' ; but I submit it is an error. Imagine requiring a youngster of from thirteen to eighteen to take an oath of that sort.—I am, Sir, &c., FRANCIS SPRING RICE, Commander R.N. (retd.). Royal Hotel, Valentia, Co. Kerry.
[The War Office and the Encyclopaedia Britannica.—ED. Spectator.]
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