28 JUNE 1902, Page 34

NAVAL AND MILITARY REVIEWS.

(TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—In one matter the King and the Prince of Wales might help the Services to attain efficiency. It is by setting their faces against reviews, which are the curse of European Armies, and, above all, of Navies. If it were known that there would be no naval review for some years, the dockyards would be relieved from the task of furbishing up sham men. of-war, and would have time for useful work. It would be the same for the land forces. Inspecting officers would be free to disregard useless detail, and a parade would be what the word really means—an exhibition of a force ready to fight—if they did not feel bound to test the ability of officers in making a