[To TIM EDITOR 01 THE "SPECTATOR:1 Six,—Last year you were
kind enough to insert a letter from me drawing attention to the necessity of the National Reserve being provided with a uniform if they were to be expected to fight in case of invasion. Will you now permit me to draw your readers' attention to the striking confirmation of Lord Roberts's opinion as to the insufficient training of the Terri- torials which has just been supplied by Sir John French ? Speaking on Friday night at the dinner of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry, he advocated the provision of swords for the Yeomanry, and hoped in good time (the italics are mine) they would get them, but added that it was impracticable at the present time to fit regiments out with swords, and that with the limited time at the disposal of the Yeomanry it was all they could do to perfect themselves with the rifle. It would appear from this (a) that our greatest cavalry leader considers the Yeomanry should have swords,
(b) that we have not got a supply of swords for them, and
(c) that, if we had, the Yeomanry have not time to learn to use them. Is not this a terrible state of things ? And how can the National Reserve feel any confidence that the authorities will provide them with uniform, rifles, and ammunition in time of
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