We have stated our view of the general issues of
the Sand- hurst case elsewhere, but we fay admit that the matter is not one which will be mended by violent or prejudiced writing or speaking on either side. The incident has been an unfortunate one throughout. Incidents, like books, have their fates, and this one appears to have been marked from its birth by misfortune. Blundering and mismanagement seem to have clung to it throughout, and often through pure accident and owing to no particular fault of the individuals concerned. That being so, the best thing to ask now is, "How can a new start be made, and how can things be put right even at the eleventh hour ? " We believe the only safe plan will be to act on the lines in effect suggested by Lord Roberts himself when he promised personal and individual investigation. We hold that he should see every one of the rusticated cadets himself, and ask from each a declaration on his honour that he did not commit the offence, and that if he returns he will do all in his power to prevent any fresh offences and to dis- cover the source of the original outbreaks. If such assur- ances are given they will be kept. We venture, with all respect, to appeal to Lord Roberts to take this course. When the boys are reinstated it will, of course, be necessary to devise some scheme for preventing further fires. We should suggest some means under which the cadets them- selves will be given the duty of watching for and detect- ing the criminal if he again shows himself. They would, we presume, be ready to undertake the task, and a special officer might be detailed to help them in the work of investigation.
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