THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE WAIL
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."J
SIB,—In the Spectator of September 5th you state that you would very much like to know if young officers will read the Minutes of Evidence on which the Report of the Royal commissioners was based. I can only speak as to my personal observation. Since the receipt of the volumes containing these Minutes of Evidence, some of the junior officers have abandoned bridge after dinner for the Blue-book. I have noticed that both before and after dinner the volumes are always being read. Human nature is pretty well the same all over the world. If the young officers in my regiment are reading the Minutes with interest, one may fairly assume that they will do the same in others, provided they are not discouraged by their seniors.—I am, Sir, &c., C. 0.
[We are delighted to read "Commanding Officer's" letter. We have never been among those who sneered at the young British officer as being incapable of mental effort or un- intelligent—though often the victims of a vicious system— and we feel sure that if the subaltern is allowed to learn and profit by the lessons set forth in the Report of the War Com- mission, he will do so. The trouble is that in most cases the subaltern by the time he reaches a position of power and influence has become petrified in spirit owing to the daily performance for ten or fifteen years of routine duties, which not only involve no responsibility, but are an actual impediment to the development of the spirit which welcomes and accepts responsibility with delight.—En. Spectator.]
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