LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH ARMY.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—Your article on "The Future of Our Army" in the Spectator of November 11th will be welcome to many who have felt, more or less vaguely, the necessity for some further "insurance" of the position and wealth of the country and the Empire. Had the circumstances of the Continent been different—supposing that France, for instance, had been united under an Emperor, or that Germany had some solid grievance against us—we might at the present time be in a most difficult and even dangerous position. We cannot reckon upon always having our quarrels singly. And it is agreed that a well-grounded fear of invasion would be only less fatal to our commercial position than the actual attempt. The present war, then, seems to have come at the right time to draw our attention to what might have been, and what may be. There is a danger of our tying up our available resources; particularly by heavy expenditure upon old-age pensions, in such a way as to risk not merely the security for these, but also the livelihood of the mass of our countrymen, which, of course, depends upon our commer- cial position. It would surely be prudent to provide the in- surance to secure our present position before incurring further liabilities. But your suggestion of a pension for those who had served their time in the "Territorial Army" might be made to meet both objects at once. If the conditions of service were made possible for nearly all (as might certainly be done), a man would have no one but himself to thank if be had not earned his pension. And whatever this might cost, the country would get value for its money in increased security. The case of men physically disqualified and of single women would perhaps call for some different, equitable treatment. Possibly military authorities might decide that the regular cavalry ought to be increased as well as the artillery. But this is a matter for experts. It is to be hoped that the question, once started, will not be allowed to rest. If we refuse to provide for probable contingencies we shall, in case of panic or disaster, have no one but ourselves to blame,
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