15 JUNE 1912, Page 2

We have dealt elsewhere with the future of the force,

but may repeat here that if the whole of the United Kingdom now follows the example of London the 120,000 men who now constitute the National Reserve may easily within the course of the next year rise in all to 450,000. Of this body at least 300,000 will be war-worthy men. When that is achieved the nation will without question be possessed of a new military asset of the first importance. We are not going to weary our readers with more comments upon the Reserve, but we do most earnestly trust that the work of completing it will be pushed on with vigour in those counties where hitherto slackness has prevailed. London's lead should be followed throughout the land.