The Times makes a serious statement about the new plan
of enlisting men for short terms. The men are now offered enlist- ment for twelve years, six to be passed in the Line and six in the Reserve, that is, they are released at 24 to follow their own occu- pations, subject to a liability to be called out, and at 30 are released altogether. It was believed that the men would accept these terms eagerly, but it is affirmed that they do not like them at all. They wish to make the Army their trade, not to be compelled at 24 to choose a new one ; they miss the pensions, and they will not enter upon the new conditions. If that statement is correct, it is fatal to Mr. Cardwell's plan, but it requires official confirmation. We should say the probability was in its favour, the men finding their six years' liability an impediment in the way of their obtain- ing employment, an impediment not felt in Germany, where the liability attaches to all alike.
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