THE ARMY LEAGUE AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE ASSOCIATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:]
SIR,—I should be obliged if you would publish the following letter, which has been sent to the Press :—
" The disasters and the revelations of the last few months, together with the recognition of our danger in case of fresh com- plications, show that large reforms in our military organisation are urgently needed if the British Empire is to be kept safe. But though men's thoughts and their expression in the news- papers are at present full of military problems, public opinion does not exert its full influence unless it is in some way systemati- cally educated and also concentrated or focussed, and there is some danger that, if we get through our present difficulties safely, some of us may be only too glad to forget the unpleasant but salutary lesson that we should be learning, until we are still more rudely awakened. We know how, in the past, warnings, and even object-lessons such as the Crimean War and till military collapse of France in 1870, have soon been forgotten, for the public memory is short. It is for these reasons that the Army League and Imperial Defence Association has been established in order both to educate public opinion and to make its voice effective. This education is certainly required. The majority of British voters have no clear knowledge of the constitution of our military forces, of the problems connected with the defence of the Empire, and of the reasons, practical as well as patriotic, why all should interest themselves in its pre- servation, as a matter of infinitely greater importance than any party questions, or reforms which, however excellent, are of incomparably less consequence. It is not possible, nor is it in any way desirable, that we should all be military experts, but we can all learn enough to take an intelligent interest in the defence of the Empire of which we are so proud. The public opinion thus formed will naturally show itself at elections, and will convince Members of Parliament and.Governments that proper attention to this most vital national question is what the country insists upon having, and that henceforth it will not tolerate any trust in • our luck, 'muddling through' our difficulties, or that false economy which lands us in heavier expenditure. And if there is any possible doubt as to the opinion of the country, the Army League will give it the means of expressing itself. In order to act freely the League will in no way identify itself with any political party. At the present time its attitude will be one of observation. Our Ministers have promised to do all that is possible to make us safe at home during the absence of the regular Army, and afterwards to set about a thorough and scien- tific reform of our military forces. This promise we, with the country, expect to have fulfilled, and shall judge with the help of the Service Members and other good authorities whether it is being adequately and fearlessly carried out, and shall act accordingly. Such an Association must plainly depend for its effectiveness not only upon subscriptions (without which, of course, the work cannot be carried on), but also upon personal effort on the part of many to influence those around them. All can help if they will. If branches can be formed in all parts of the Kingdom, and voters of all classes interested in what concerns us all equally, the benefit to the country and the Empire will be great. The League will, so far as is possible, co-operate with similar efforts in the i Colonies. We have already received encouraging support from many parts of the United Kingdom, and the formation of branches has already been begun. Arrangements are being made for a meeting of the League to be held in May at the Royal United Service Institution, particulars of which will be dui, advertised."
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