NEWS OF THE WEEK.
WE desire to draw the special attention of the readers of the Spectator to the appeal which we make in our first leading article. It is for funds to help the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps. The duties of that body are, in our opinion, of great moment, but the very responsible work with which it has been entrusted by the War Office cannot be carried out with the efficiency which is vital unless there is a large central fund. Throughout the country there have been growing up at hundreds of centres bodies of Town Guards and Village Guards composed of men of non-military age, who are determined to help, as far as they can, in the defence of the country. They wish, before it is too late, to acquire some fighting value in the only way in which fighting value can be gained in these days—by learning the use of the rifle and the spade, and the elements of drill and discipline ; i.e., by learning how to co-operate under leaders whose orders are to be carried out, not because they necessarily appear at the moment the best orders to those who have to obey them, but because they are orders.
