23 MARCH 1912, Page 3

It is clear from these statements that the War Office

has begun to realize what a valuable force they have in the National Reserve, and the ability which the institution gives to them of keeping in touch with, and utilizing the services of, those men in the country who have had a military training, but who are not now connected with any other military unit. They see that in the last resort these men of the National Reserve would be invaluable to stiffen the Territorial Force. Undoubtedly the existence of the Reserve would also help to steady public opinion should the threat of invasion arise, and were we confronted with what the old Militia Acta used to describe as " the appearance of the enemy in force upon our coasts."