RIFLE CLUBS.
[TO TIM EDITOR OP THE " spacreion.") SIB,—Reading the article on "Rifle Clubs and Volunteers" in the Spectator of January 5th, the one sensation "here at this unquiet limit of the world" has been blank amazement that after all the lessons which have been drilled into us by rifle bullets during the Boer War there should still be a body of public opinion in England which underrates the value of rifle clubs. Here on the spot all acknowledge that the one thing needful for every man is not only to be able to shoot, but to be able to hit what he shoots at. Indeed, so vital is this question regarded here that it has been seriously suggested that the power to shoot straight should be made one of the qualifications for having a vote. The Boers are men with a contempt for all things military. The soldier, with his picturesque pedantries, has always been an object of ridicule among them. They drill not; neither do they "form fours"; and yet we see how hard a task military discipline, with all the resources of scientific ,warfare, has had to deal with in coping with them. The Boer is simply a countryman who can ride and shoot and use his plain common-sense. He has been well said to be "born with a rifle in his hand and his foot in the stirrup." Where there is no more game to shoot he improvises rifle clubs. The inhabitants of a ward join together and purchase an ox or an ass, which becomes the prize of the best shot. The target is probably a rock, or a board, stained black or white with charcoal or lime. The system is primitive in the ex- treme, but it brings out as good shooting as the most elaborate rifle range. With the object-lesson of the Boer War so fresh before their eyes, it is puzzling how reason- able people can belittle the supreme importance to 'a nation of accurate shooting. To us here on the spot there is no question that the vitality of a nation depends on the fingers of the people being taught to war and their hands to fight. A good shot is respected by his friends and feared by his enemies. Apart from good shooting, the secret of Boer suc- cess lies in the fact that we drill and they do not. Of course, in fighting a European Power drill and all that goes along with it cannot be dispensed with, but in irregular warfare the advocates of the Drill Book—nothing but the Drill Book— may be compared to the whist-player who follows Hoyle to the letter and cannot throw down his cards, while his oppo- nent revokes and trumps whenever it seems good in his sight. Military men, of course, look upon the idea of an armed civilian as rank heresy, and "men with guns ," which they cannot use are only dangerous to themselves and their friends, but when they can use them they compel respect, however grudgingly it may be bestowed—I am, Sir, &c.,
CA.PE COLONIST.
[Our correspondent's letter is both sound and timely, but he must not suppose that all, or even the majority of, military men are opposed to rifle clubs. Many of the ablest and most highly placed of our soldiers are among their strongest advocates.—En. Spectator.]
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