7 NOVEMBER 1914, Page 24

[To TER EDITOR OF TRY " BPICTATOR."] SIB.—Whilst one feels

sure that your appeal as expressed in your " leader " headed "Men, Men, Men," 'will duly bear fruit, one is conscious of an all-important omission, all the more remarkable in that the Government has undertaken shortly to make some definite announcement upon the subject. You make no reference to the matter of allowances for dependants, for widows, and for crippled soldiers. It is surely obvious that any man, of proper age and physique, who is ready and willing to enlist is in duty bound to consider those dependent upon him, and a nation whose inefficient members will appeal to the efficients to save it from the enemy ought surely to be prepared to make its due sacrifice in kind as well as in life. Such as are blessed with an abundance of the good things of life are surely prepared to hand over—even though by way of the tax-gatherer—quite a large part of their abundance. If you could prevail upon the powers that be to make proper provision for every soldier's wife during the war, for every widow, and for every crippled warrior, say a minimum of LI per week for life, is there any doubt whatsoever but that there would be an overwhelming response to the "call to arms" ? There is an unpleasant ring about that "Your King and country need you, for the war only." It is a sorry and niggardly spirit which asks all of a man—all of himself, of his wife, of his family—and gives in return fulsome praise and a hesitating and inadequate pittance.—I am, Sir, &c., [We agree.—En. Spectator.]