RIFLEMEN FORM!
[To TES EDITOR OF TIM ..aracvaros.71 Slit,—Are there not in this country a large number of retired Volunteers and Territorials who are expert rifle shots and possess private Service rifles who might be organized into a National Guard for the defence of this country ? The expert rifle shot is a valuable national asset at this time. At the lowest estimate, I should think there are two thousand riflemen above military age, who, besides being efficient marksmen, have done anything from four to ten years training. It seems to me that these men should be formed into corps and recognized by the War Office. Otberwice they will be treated ae non-combatants, and, in the event of an emergency, will be expected to go through the humiliating experience of handing over their arms to the local authorities. I shall, perhaps, be told that these trained riflemen might join the Volunteer Training Corps. But if these trained men are to be of any value it seems to me to be important that they should be organized into one body and be made ready to meet any emergency.—I am, Sir, Ac., [A Crack-Shot Corps, every member of which could hit a man at a mile without fail, would be a very valuable body, no matter what the accumulated ages of its members. We cannot, however, see what possible reason there is why in London and our• great cities Crack-Shot Corps should not be formed of men owning their own rifles. They must, of course, be affiliated to the Central. It would be most unwise, nay, impossible, to set up yet another independent type of Home Guard.—En. Spectator.]
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