LT() THR EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,,—I venture the following suggestions for insertion in your paper, having the experience of six years-1872-1878- in the ranks of a Volunteer regiment. During that period one of the Adjutants, a Captain in the Black Watch, who had experienced a campaign with Lord Wolseley, took a lively interest in our drill, forming us into attacking parties and training us to act individually, taking shelter behind trees, large stones, &c., while advancing on a defended position,—in fact, he made the drill most interesting to us and instructive, causing us to respect him, and enabling him to hold us in splendid command. I thought at the time, and after a long experience at home and abroad managing men and work I still believe, that the Volunteers at home and in the Colonies, if officered from the Regulars, would form armies unmatched in numbers and competency by any other country. The Volun- teer officers are the weak item in the Volunteer Forces. A Volunteer officer has not the training of, and is a long, long way inferior in drill to, an officer in the Regulars, and for that reason does not hold the men in thorough command. Doubt- less it would be a matter of some expense to the country to utilise the retired officers, or those on half-pay or not required in the Regular Forces, to officer the Volunteer Forces, also to draw upon the Reservists for the necessary Lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals, paying them for that work ; but it would convert the Volunteer Forces into a splendid body of soldiers ; and every young man from fifteen to twenty-ono years, rich or poor, should be expected to serve six years and become trained to do his bit to defend his country.
—I am, Sir, &c., JAMES GALT. 23 Bell Street, Glasgow.
THE LICENSING BILL.
Previous page
