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AN IMPERIAL MEMORLAL SCHEME. (To THE-EDITOR OF-THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The Veterans' Association venture to ask not -,only the courtesy of your columns, but also your cordial eoeperation in bringing more prominently before the public a scheme 'for the promotion of which the Association was formed. By means of this scheme the Empire will prove itself not unmindful of its duty by brightening and, in a large measure, securing the future of those who in fighting for us have handicapped themselves in the battle of life. The Veterans' Association is becoming ,gradually recognized as the central organization of the Veterans of the Empire, but in order to meet the far-reaching needs of the future its scope must be widely extended. Accordingly, under- the title of " An Imperial Memorial," this comprehensive scheme of -a sound Imperial character has been brought into being, end by its means mental and ,bodily oceniorts will be conferred -upon each. of the ex-Service men of the Empire as need a helping hand. latrough it there will be provided a Veterans' headquarters and a ".clearing house," and facilities for obtaining every kind of information, advice, and assistance. Especially will it afford the means of rebuilding and maintaining the health of those who should still be as capable of adding to the strength of the Empire in peace as they were of safeguarding it in war.
To carry out the project on adequate preliminary lines .a sum of at least ..21,000,000 will be required for purchasing a site, erecting and endowing the necessary buildings for an enlarged Veterans' Club with at least a thousand .bedrooms and its own extended organizations, with special reference to representation of the Dominions and Colonies, the United States of America, and the Allies generally who have participated so gloriously in the war. This amount will also enable the Association to encourage the formation of kindred undertakings in other great-cities of the Empire, and as part of the whole scheme .to,provide for the pur- chase and upkeep of a first convalescent .home for men of His Majesty's Forces who have been discharged to civil life, many of whom will from time to time unhappily require treatment. From our personal experience, we confidently assert that such a con- valescent home will help to fill one of the most urgent needs of the day. These discharged men cannot afford to.pey medical fees, nor do they possess facilities for treatment in their own homes. The Association has secured the option of the purchase of a property in Epping Forest capable of accommodating at, least six hundred patients, and in all ways admirably suitable as a con- valescent home. The Association appeals to all for help to establish this Memorial, but in particular (1)-to those who have been debarred from directly assisting by fighting for the Empire; (2) to those who have lost-some relatives and friends, and who would gladly see some practical memorial erected to their memory.
Donations, large or small, should be forwarded to the-Treasurers or the Secretary, Veterans' Association, 47 Bedford how, W.C. 1. Any donations can, if desired, be specially devoted to the .con- valescent home, in which case they should be marked "Convales- cent Home." All contributions will be acknowledged in-the Frees. —We are, Sir, &c.,
AGA KHAN; DAVID BEATTY; .LIOEEL 'E. 0. Cam/ann, Brig.-Gen. R.A.F.; R. 'H. Cox; 'CLAUDE CHAMPION DE CRESPIONY; H. BARURAVE DBASE; ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE; DENBIGH, Col.-Commdg. H.A.C.; E. R. Fasitticrte; Licnist HALSEY; J. H. Hams, Chief Rabbi; .Awurtut R. HOLBROOK, Colonel; W. VANEGTTART HOWARD; .Louis
JACKSON, Major-General; Rouse Kens; Ronsin B. LANE, Major-General; A. F. LONDON; CHARLES F. SMUG MoNTTFIORE; ARTHUR Prassost; A. T. Steamer; Lieut.- General; WILLIAm R. Sem, Colonel M.D.; MARK SYKES; H. L. TOMKINS, Lieut.-Colonel, Indian Army; ALFRED E. TURNER, Major-General; BEREAHD VAUGHAN; IL -F. Wu.sow.
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